A brutal midnight attack by suspected Fulani militants on the Zike and Kimakpa villages resulted in at least 51–52 deaths. Many homes, churches, shops, vehicles, and food barns were burnt. Several others were injured, including children and elderly victims. The recovery of bodies is ongoing, with local search efforts still underway.
The community held a mass burial for the victims as they mourned the heavy losses and awaited further recovery.
The death toll in Plateau has surged over recent months, with 200+ killed in December 2023, including the deadly Christmas massacres in Bokkos and Barkin‑Ladi.
Prior to the April attacks, in late March to early April 2025, coordinated raids in Bokkos LGA killed at least 52, affecting multiple communities and prompting another mass burial burial in some villages.
These attacks are part of a spiraling herder–farmer conflict, compounded by ethnic and religious tensions. Amnesty International and community organizations have repeatedly warned of the escalating humanitarian crisis.
The April 2025 Zike/Kimakpa mass burial underscores the mounting tragedy faced by communities in Plateau State. With bodies still undiscovered in surrounding bushes, survivors continue to grieve while calling for:
Enhanced security and intelligence measures,
Humanitarian and medical assistance for survivors and displaced persons.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang and civil society leaders have described the situation as reaching a tipping point—it’s a dire call for urgent action at federal and state levels.