At least 19 people have been killed in fresh attacks in two communities in Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau state.
According to eyewitnesses, gunmen stormed the Tangur district in Bokkos LGA around 8pm on Thursday, shooting indiscriminately as they broke into homes and killed many people.
The Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the attack to a reporter in Jos on Friday, said 13 people, mostly women and children, were killed in Jwan community of the council area.
He said the attackers, who were heavily armed, fled the scene before security agents arrived.
Mallai said, “There was an attack on Thursday night in a village called Jwan in Tangur district, Bokkos Local Government Area. Right now, 13 persons have been confirmed dead, mostly women and children. It happened around 8 pm on Thursday.
“The people were just in their homes when suddenly, they saw some persons carrying guns and suddenly started shooting at them. The men in the village came out but they couldn’t defend themselves because the attackers, who were heavily armed, were just shooting.”
“Some of them (men) had to hide but the women and children, who were more vulnerable, were hit by bullets. So, 13 of them have just been confirmed dead this morning. Before any security agents could get to the village, the attackers had left the place. The village is mourning right now.”
The Chairman of Bokkos LGA, Amalau Amalau, corroborated the reports, stating that several people were killed and others were receiving treatment in various hospitals.
“Yes, it’s true. They came and attacked our people last night. They killed several people, and others are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals. We took some of the victims to JUTH while some were taken to the cottage hospital here in Bokkos.”
“We have reported the matter to the security agents, and it is not something they are not aware of,” the chairman said.
In a similar attack on Thursday, six people were killed in Chakfem community, in the neighbouring Mangu Local Government Area.
The Vice Chairman of Mwaghavul Youths Development Association, Panam Madugu, who confirmed the killings, described the incident as unfortunate.
According to him, the attackers arrived around 8 pm, killed six people, and left the community before security agents responded.
“The attack took place in Chakfem village last night. The herders just attacked the community last night and killed six persons. It is rather unfortunate. They just came around 8 pm, and after killing the people, they left the community. We have reported the incident to the security agents,” Madugu said.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Alabo Alfred, couldn’t be reached for comment as his phone indicated that it was switched off.
However, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Sunday Abdu, said he had dispatched members of his team to Bokkos to find out the situation of things.
“I don’t have information about the incident but members of my team went to Bokkos today. I’m sure they will get details of what happened and report back. I will let you know when the information about the incident is available,” the SEMA boss said.
