13 Killed, Houses Burnt as Gunmen Attack Plateau Communities
At least 13 people were killed and several others injured after suspected gunmen launched coordinated attacks on communities in Plateau State on Wednesday night.
The assaults, which targeted villages in Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas, also left dozens of homes razed.
In Bokkos LGA, the village of Juwan in Tangur District came under attack, resulting in the death of 10 people, including children and the elderly.
Witnesses said the assailants, believed to be heavily armed, invaded the community late at night, shooting sporadically and burning houses.
Another incident occurred in Jean Tangur 2 village, also in Bokkos LGA, where four women were shot dead around 10:40 p.m. Three others sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to a nearby hospital.
In neighbouring Mangu LGA, three persons were confirmed dead in Manja village, Chafem District.
According to local reports, the victims were working on their farms when the attackers struck. Over 20 houses were also set ablaze during the raid, which was repelled by a combined team of security operatives and community vigilantes.
Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Mr. Monday Kassa, condemned the attacks, describing them as “inhumane and barbaric.” He called on the federal government to intervene and bring an end to the killings. “Our people are being killed almost daily. These repeated attacks have brought nothing but tears and sorrow,” he said.
A member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Mathew Kwarpo, said the violence is part of a larger agenda to displace native communities and take over their ancestral lands.
“This is beyond ordinary conflict. It is organized and aimed at land grabbing. The government must act before it is too late,” he said.
Security personnel from the police, military, and local vigilante groups have since been deployed to the affected areas. Authorities said the swift response helped to prevent further loss of lives and property.
However, residents remain fearful and many have fled to neighbouring communities for safety.
Plateau State has witnessed repeated outbreaks of violence, often linked to clashes between herders and farming communities.
The latest attacks have added to the growing calls for the federal and state governments to take more decisive action to protect rural populations.
Displaced residents are currently seeking refuge in schools, churches, and open shelters, while local leaders are appealing for urgent humanitarian assistance. Basic needs such as food, bedding, and medical supplies are in short supply.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Plateau State Government regarding the attacks. The situation remains tense, and residents are calling for increased security presence and long-term solutions to the crisis.
