At least 19 people have been reportedly killed and several others injured following a late-night attack on Kawel village in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State.
Residents said the attack occurred on Sunday night while many members of the community were asleep.
According to eyewitness accounts, armed men invaded the village at about 11:40 pm, firing gunshots indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee their homes in search of safety.
A resident of Bokkos, Malo Bitrus, said the attackers unleashed violence on the community, leaving multiple casualties in their wake.
The Bokkos Youth Leader, Christopher Luka, who also confirmed the incident, disclosed that local youth leaders were alerted shortly after midnight about the attack.
“A youth leader called around 12 a.m. and reported that gunmen attacked the community and shot several persons. So far, 19 deaths have been confirmed,” Luka said.
He explained that he immediately informed security personnel stationed within the local government area after receiving reports of the attack.
“I contacted security personnel, and they confirmed they had received information about the incident and were moving to the affected community,” he added.
Luka described the attack as unprovoked and urged security agencies to strengthen efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable communities from recurring violence.
The latest assault comes less than a week after the killing of the District Head of Gwande in Bokkos Local Government Area, Saf Samuel Alaket.
The traditional ruler was reportedly attacked and killed along the Sha District corridor near the Daffo community while returning from a traditional council meeting.
As of the time of filing this report, attempts to obtain official confirmation from the Plateau State Police Command and Operation Safe Haven were unsuccessful.
Neither the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, nor the spokesman of Operation Safe Haven, Captain Polycarp Oteh, responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
