Gunmen on Thursday night carried out a deadly attack on Mbwelle village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving at least eight people dead.
Reports indicate that most of the victims belonged to the same family. Those killed have been identified as Elder Iliya Mangut Dakus, Mr Luck Titus Dakus, Mr Habila Istifanu Dakus, Mr Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Mrs Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus, and Mr Innocent Barnabas Makwin.
The Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, Kefas Mallai, confirmed the incident in Jos on Friday. He disclosed that the attackers stormed the village around 11pm, opening fire on residents. The assault also left about three people injured, while several others are still unaccounted for.
Mallai said: “There was an attack last night at Mbwelle village. The village is very close to Bokkos town. So far eight persons have been confirmed dead this morning.
“The people are saying they want to protest because the security men have not protected them and the attack lasted for hours and yet, no presence of security to repel the assailants until those people finished and left. No trace.”
He added: “The attack lasted for several hours with no visible security presence to repel the attackers.”
Mallai further alleged that security operatives failed to respond despite the proximity of the affected community, noting that personnel were instead deployed to another area believed by locals to be linked to the attackers.
Also confirming the incident, the Youth Leader of Bokkos, Christopher Luka, described the attack as tragic and deeply disturbing for both the local community and the state at large.
“The gunmen came around 11pm and started shooting sporadically. They targeted one family mostly. We have eight confirmed dead, some seriously injured, and others still unaccounted for,” Luka said.
Attempts to obtain an official response from the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
Similarly, the Media Officer of the Joint Military Taskforce, Chinonso Oteh, was unable to provide immediate comments, stating, “I will get back to you.”
Bokkos and surrounding local government areas in Plateau State have continued to face recurring security challenges in recent years.
The situation intensified recently after the Berom Youth Moulders Association raised concerns over persistent ambushes and attacks targeting residents in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South LGAs, despite the presence of security personnel.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the association, led by its National President Dalyop Mwantiri, described the attacks as a coordinated effort allegedly aimed at seizing ancestral lands.
According to the group, gunmen on Wednesday ambushed travellers returning from mining activities along the Great Commission area on the Bokkos Road around 4:15pm. The attackers opened fire, killing Mr Ayuba Pam of Nding Sesut, while two others—Mr Alfred Dung and Mr Nathaniel Bitrus—sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
In another incident that same evening around 6:30pm, gunmen reportedly ambushed and killed Mr Christopher Joshua, a father of three from the Byei community in Riyom LGA, along the Gwolhoss–Byei road while he was returning home.
The association described these incidents as part of ongoing violence against Berom communities and expressed concern over the continued attacks on busy rural routes frequently used by farmers, miners, and travellers.
They also called on security agencies to strengthen surveillance and increase patrols across key routes, including the Great Commission–Bokkos road, Great Commission–Gashish axis, Rahoss–Rim road, Kwi–Farin Lamba road, Gwolhoss–Jol–Sho road, and Rim–Bachi road.
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