A tragic attack occurred in Gidan Ado, a community in Plateau State, on Sunday night. Unknown gunmen struck the area, killing 14 people, including men, women, and children. The attack took place in the Riyom Local Government Area, part of Plateau State, and has left the community in deep sorrow.

The news was confirmed by Mr. Sam Jugo, the National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Community Development Association (IDA). He reported that the attack had been reported to Operation Safe Haven, a multi-security task force working to maintain peace in the state. Troops from the task force responded promptly to the incident, but the attackers remain unidentified.

This attack is particularly shocking because it came just days after the police had increased security in the area to ensure safety during the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. Officers had been deployed to five local government areas, including Riyom, as part of the effort to prevent violence during the holiday season.

The victims of this attack were all members of the Irigwe community, which is located in Bassa Local Government Area. Among the victims were Dauda Arabo (48), Hassana Wula (52), Basuna Moses (22), Faith Basuna (19), and many others. Tragically, even a one-year-old child, Sheba Ernest, was killed. Another woman, Linda Moses (32), survived but was severely injured and is now receiving medical treatment.

While the exact identity of the attackers has not been determined, the Irigwe community is calling on the authorities to take immediate action to prevent any further violence or retaliation. The spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven and the police have not yet responded to requests for comments.

The people of Irigwe are grieving the loss of their loved ones, especially during this time when families are typically gathered for the holidays. Mr. Jugo expressed the community’s heartbreak, stating that they had hoped to celebrate Christmas together, but instead, many lives were tragically cut short.

This attack serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing security challenges faced by many communities in Plateau State. The people of Irigwe and surrounding areas are left asking for justice and for their safety to be prioritized by the authorities.