Five Killed, 18 Hospitalised In Fresh Plateau Attack

No fewer than five people were killed when gunmen attacked five communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack, which started on Wednesday, left 18 others hospitalised aside from the five people killed.

The Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, Mr Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the attacks on Thursday said the violence began around 9 am on Wednesday when gunmen invaded Tamiso village, where women were holding a Christian fellowship meeting at a COCIN church.

He said the attackers fired gunshots, causing panic and displacement among residents.

According to him, the affected communities include Tamiso, Tuje, Nghabok, Wayah, Kambang, Manguna, and Hurti.

Mallai added that the attacks had caused widespread fear and displacement among residents, with many forced to flee their homes.

He further pointed out that the timely intervention of security men, alerted by the affected communities, prevented further casualties as security personnel arrived at the scenes within 30 minutes, mitigating the situation.

The chairman said “Yes, yesterday (Wednesday), there were attacks in about five communities by gunmen in Bokkos communities. What happened was that some women were in their Christian fellowship at COCIN church, Tamiso village. Before they knew what was happening, the gunmen invaded the place firing gunshots. So, people started running for their lives and the attackers who are said to be Fulani herders succeeded in displacing the community and two other neighbouring communities.

“As Tamiso was attacked, residents were displaced from Tamiso, Tuje, Nghabok, Wayah communities of Mangor village. Other communities attacked include Kambang in Daffo district, Manguna, and Hurti.

“Afterwards, the attackers moved to Kambang village and attacked the people. In the process, they burnt one house. From there, the attackers again moved to Mangor village, where they killed two persons before they moved to Hurti and wreaked their havoc.”

According to him, as Tamiso was attacked, residents were displaced from Tamiso, Tuje, Nghabok, Wayah communities of Mangor village while other communities attacked include Kambang in Daffo district, Manguna, and Hurti.

He said, “But as I speak with you now, five people so far have lost their lives from the various attacks: one in Mangor; two in Manguna; and another one at Hurti and then, a lady from Manguana lost her life because they brought her to the hospital in Bokkos and she gave up the ghost. So, as it is now, I can confirm five persons are dead and 18 persons have been brought to the hospital in Bokkos from the various attacks because we are still receiving information.”

The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached as several calls put across to his mobile phone rang out but he didn’t pick them up nor return the calls.

The latest attack came barely one week after a similar incident in Ruwi community in the same Local Government Area where the gunmen attacked mourners in the locality and killed about 10 persons. The state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, who reacted to the attacks had urged the residents of Ruwi village and surrounding communities to remain calm and cooperate with the police as they work to bring the perpetrators to justice