At least eight people have been killed following a late-night attack by gunmen on Mbwelle village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The assault, which occurred around 11 p.m. on Thursday, reportedly targeted members of a single family. Among those killed were Elder Iliya Mangut Dakus, Luck Titus Dakus, Habila Istifanu Dakus, Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus, and Innocent Barnabas Makwin.
Kefas Mallai, Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, confirmed the incident on Friday. He said the attackers stormed the village and opened fire indiscriminately, leaving at least three others injured while several residents remain unaccounted for.
According to Mallai, the attack lasted for hours without any intervention from security forces, sparking anger among residents. He noted that community members are considering protests over what they see as a failure of security agencies to protect them.
Mallai also alleged that despite the proximity of security personnel, no response was made during the attack. He further claimed that security forces are currently stationed in another community suspected by locals to be linked to the attackers.
Christopher Luka, a youth leader in Bokkos, described the incident as a tragic and devastating assault. He confirmed that the gunmen arrived around 11 p.m., shooting sporadically and primarily targeting one family. He added that while eight deaths have been confirmed, several others are seriously injured and some people are still missing.
Attempts to reach the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. Similarly, the media officer of the Joint Military Taskforce, Chinonso Oteh, said he would respond later but had not issued a statement.
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The latest attack highlights the ongoing security challenges in Bokkos and neighboring areas, which have experienced repeated violence in recent years.
Tensions have escalated further following recent reports by the Berom Youth Moulders Association, which raised concerns over continued ambushes and killings in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South LGAs. The group described the violence as a deliberate campaign, allegedly aimed at displacing communities and taking over ancestral lands.
In one recent incident, gunmen ambushed travelers returning from mining activities along Bokkos Road, killing one person and injuring two others. In another attack the same evening, a man was shot dead along the Gwolhoss–Byei road in Riyom LGA.
The association expressed concern that such attacks continue despite the presence of security forces and called for increased surveillance and patrols in known hotspots and along major rural routes.
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