(MENAFN) Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced on Monday that more than 40 individuals were killed during a late-night attack by unknown gunmen in the Zike community of the Bassa local government area in Plateau State, located in north-central Nigeria. Local authorities reported that the attackers stormed the area on Sunday night, firing at residents without restraint.

In a statement released Monday evening, President Tinubu expressed his "profound sorrow" over the tragic loss of life and has directed security forces to conduct a thorough investigation to apprehend those responsible for the violence.

"We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough," the president stated. "These problems have been with us for more than two decades. We can no longer ignore the underlying issues. It is time to tackle them fairly and find a lasting solution. I have discussed these problems with the governor and offered suggestions for lasting peace."

Plateau State, located in Nigeria's central region, has faced a wave of violent incidents in recent years. This latest tragedy comes on the heels of another deadly attack in the Bokkos local government area, where more than 52 individuals lost their lives just over a week ago.

The reasons behind this recent surge in violence remain uncertain. Armed attacks have become a significant security concern in Nigeria's northern and central regions, resulting in numerous deaths and kidnappings in recent months.

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