Father, two sons killed in renewed Plateau violence

The victims, who identified as 56-year-old Weyi Gebeh and his sons, 25-year-old Zhu Weyi and 16-year-old Henry Weyi, hailed from Zogu Community of Miango District, Bassa Local Government Area of the state and were reportedly killed in the early hours of Friday by suspected bandits.

 Only recently, over 60 people were killed in coordinated attacks on villages in Bokkos LGA.

“This recent event brings to 9 deaths recorded this week alone. IDA expresses its utmost displeasure on the deteriorating situation in Irigwe land and calls on the security agencies to do whatever that’s required to halt this barbarism on our land and perpetrators apprehended to face justice.” Sam Jugo, the National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), said in a statement.

“The way criminal elements invade our motherland and kill with impunity seems to suggest a more sinister motive than mere reprisal alleged wrongs. IDA therefore calls the Plateau State government and the security to do the needful and stop the killing of innocent people in Irigwe land.”

Also, the Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities and a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Plateau State condemned the killings and called for urgent intervention from both federal and state governments.

They contended in separate press conferences held at the NUJ Press Centre in Jos, and urged coordinated action to stop what they termed the “ethnic cleansing” of Plateau communities.

“On Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025, our peace-loving and hardworking farmers in Bokkos local government area of Plateau State were once again attacked in a senseless and brutal massacre,” Prof. Abraham Dogo, who spoke on behalf of the Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities, stated.

“These innocent and defenceless citizens were mercilessly killed by suspected armed and deadly herders/terrorists — agents of destruction who have no regard for human life, law, or peaceful coexistence.
We demand justice. We demand protection. We demand peace.

“We stand today in grief, but not in defeat. We will continue to raise our voices until the lives of every Nigerian, regardless of tribe or faith, are valued and protected.”

Furthermore, Rev. Chris Damcher, Chairman of the Plateau State Civil Society Organisation Forum, called for peace and solidarity with affected communities.

“We stand with the communities in Bokkos and pray that soon and very soon, they will return to their communities with the setting in of the rains for the farming season,” Damcher said.

“We pray for the reign of peace in our dear state as we declare that enough of the bloodshed and bloodletting in Plateau State.”