PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA — At least 13 people have been killed in a late-night attack by armed men in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, in what residents describe as one of the deadliest recent incidents in the region.
Local sources said the attackers stormed the community under the cover of darkness, shooting sporadically and targeting residents in a sudden and coordinated assault.
Several houses were reportedly set ablaze during the invasion, forcing survivors to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
Community leaders confirmed that 13 bodies were recovered after the attack, while search efforts were still ongoing for possible missing persons.
Security forces have since been deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent further escalation of violence.
In a related development, troops conducting separate security operations in the state uncovered an illegal arms manufacturing facility believed to be supplying weapons to criminal groups operating in the region.
The discovery was made following intelligence-led raids in suspected hideouts linked to armed networks in Plateau State.
Military sources said the facility contained tools and materials used in the production of locally fabricated weapons.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle criminal supply chains and reduce the circulation of illegal arms in volatile areas.
Residents have expressed concern over the repeated attacks in Bassa and surrounding communities, calling for sustained military presence and improved intelligence gathering.
Plateau State has experienced recurring cycles of communal violence and armed attacks in recent years, raising concerns among humanitarian and security analysts.
Experts say the presence of illegal arms production sites contributes significantly to the persistence of insecurity in the region.
Security officials have pledged to intensify operations aimed at tracking down those responsible for the killings and shutting down all identified weapons manufacturing networks.
Community leaders are also urging residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could help prevent future attacks.
Human rights observers have called for urgent measures to protect civilians and ensure accountability for those behind the violence.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns about rural insecurity in parts of north-central Nigeria, where armed groups continue to operate with increasing sophistication.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, while efforts are being made to restore normalcy in affected communities.
Attention now shifts to security deployments in Plateau State and whether additional arrests will follow the uncovering of the illegal arms factory.
