Fresh Tragedy in Plateau State: Three Family Members K!lled, Two Injured in Tomato Farm Attack in Bassa LGA
In yet another heartbreaking attack that underscores the persistent insecurity in Plateau State, three members of a single family were brutally killed while working on their farm in the Teebbe community of Miango District, located in Bassa Local Government Area (LGA). The attack, which took place on Monday, June 23, 2025, also left two other members of the same family severely injured.
This tragic incident occurred while a state-appointed peace and reconciliation committee was holding discussions nearby in Bassa town, seeking solutions to the longstanding crisis that has plagued Plateau State for decades.
Who Were the Victims?
The victims of the attack were peaceful farmers going about their daily work harvesting tomatoes. According to local sources and government officials, the deceased have been identified as:
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Mrs. Sibi Monday, aged 30
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Bako Mali Dih, a 15-year-old boy
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Ladi Bala, a 13-year-old girl
Two other members of the family were seriously injured during the ambush. They are:
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Esau Bala, a 20-year-old male
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Asabe Bala, a 16-year-old girl
The two injured victims were promptly rushed to a hospital in Jos for urgent medical attention, with sources confirming that one of them was critically wounded and in a life-threatening condition.
Attack Coincides with Peace Talks
In a cruel twist of fate, this attack happened at the exact time a Fact-Finding and Peace Committee set up by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang was holding meetings with community members and local authorities to find long-term solutions to the violence that has tormented Bassa LGA and other parts of the state for years.
The peace committee, led by Retired Major General Nicholas Rogers, was formed to investigate the root causes of the Plateau crises dating as far back as 2001. General Rogers, along with his team, was holding discussions at the Bassa Local Government Secretariat with the LG Chairman and security agencies when news of the attack reached them.
According to General Rogers:
“Today is one of the saddest days in my life. At the moment we were in this village, discussing with the LG chairman on how to ensure peace in Bassa, then we were told that there was an attack.”
“We quickly mobilized with the chairman, my team, and other security agencies. We met three bodies on the ground—three innocent women. One of the victims, a man, was critically injured, almost dead. The other has been rushed to Jos for treatment. The victims were at their farm to harvest tomatoes when they were attacked. These are innocent young girls killed.”
Outrage and Community Grief
Following the devastating news, youths from the Irigwe ethnic community—who are indigenous to the area—began staging protests in reaction to the murders. There was visible anger, pain, and confusion as the community tried to process yet another senseless loss.
However, the situation was quickly brought under control due to the intervention of the peace committee and the local government chairman. The authorities pleaded for calm and restraint, urging the youth not to resort to retaliation or further violence.
Speaking on behalf of the peace committee, General Rogers stressed:
“This is a bad thing. We appeal to Irigwe youth not to take laws into their hands and allow security agencies to handle the situation. The dead have been taken away for burial.”
Insecurity in Bassa and the Broader Plateau Region
This incident is not isolated. The Bassa LGA, along with other parts of Plateau State, has been experiencing waves of violence for over two decades. These attacks, often involving farmers and herders, have resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and destruction of farmlands, homes, and entire communities.
The region’s crisis is complex, with deep-rooted ethnic, religious, and political dimensions. The Irigwe people, among other ethnic groups in the area, have long cried out for greater protection and justice. Meanwhile, successive governments have struggled to provide sustainable solutions.
Security experts say the combination of land disputes, cattle grazing conflicts, and banditry has contributed to making the region one of Nigeria’s most volatile.
Reactions from Government and Security Agencies
The Plateau State Government, through the Fact-Finding Committee, has pledged to ensure that the perpetrators of this latest attack are brought to justice. Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilante groups, have reportedly launched an investigation into the incident.
According to sources close to the committee, intelligence gathering has begun in earnest, and nearby communities are being patrolled to prevent any retaliatory violence.
A Cry for Lasting Peace
The tragedy in Teebbe is another painful reminder that the people of Plateau State continue to live under the constant shadow of violence. Despite the presence of security agencies, violent attacks on farmers, women, and children continue almost unchecked.
Civil society organizations have repeatedly called for more robust intelligence gathering, community policing, and genuine peace-building dialogues. They also urge the Federal Government to invest in long-term solutions that address the root causes of these crises, including poverty, youth unemployment, lack of education, and the weak criminal justice system.
Conclusion: A Call for Justice and Healing
As Nigerians mourn with the Bala and Monday families, the government must act fast—not only to apprehend the killers but also to ensure such attacks no longer happen. Communities like Teebbe deserve to live in peace, farm in safety, and raise their children without fear.
Until there is a genuine effort from both state and federal authorities to address the security breakdown in rural Nigeria, families will continue to bury their loved ones while justice remains elusive.
NaijaRush will continue to monitor the situation in Bassa and across Plateau State. We urge our readers to stay informed, stay safe, and amplify the call for justice.
