Gunmen kill 18 people in Plateau State

At least 18 people have died after armed men attacked Kawel and Kopkon communities in Mushere District, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack happened late Sunday night, as reported by community leaders and security sources.

Christopher Luka, the youth leader in Bokkos, said he got news of the attack shortly after midnight.

"A youth leader called around 12 a.m. that gunmen attacked the community and shot over 20 people, so 18 were confirmed dead," Mr Luka told reporters.

He said he quickly informed the security agencies in the area.

"I called the security and they confirmed to me that they had been alerted and were on their way to the attacked community," he added.

Mr Luka described the attack as unexpected and urged security agencies to do more to protect vulnerable communities in the area.

A report mentioned by counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, said that troops from Sector 5 under Operation Enduring Peace responded to calls for help after the attack.

The report stated that when the troops arrived at the affected communities, they found 12 bodies in Kawel village and six in Kopkon village.

"Upon arrival, troops discovered 12 bodies in Kawel village and six bodies in Kopkon village, bringing the total number of fatalities to 18," the report noted.

The attackers are said to have escaped before security forces got there.

Military sources said the troops have started searching surrounding communities for the attackers.

This latest attack happened less than five days after the murder of the District Head of Gwande, Samuel Alaket, in Bokkos Local Government Area.

PREMIUM TIMES reported earlier that the traditional ruler was ambushed while returning from a meeting of traditional councils in the Sha District near Daffo community.

On June 15, PREMIUM TIMES reported that eight people were killed and over 10 others were injured when gunmen attacked Gwon-Ajang village in Foron District during a birthday celebration.

On June 11, three people died in separate attacks in Ta-Hoss and Bangai communities in Riyom Local Government Area, according to the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM).

Earlier, on June 8, seven people, including a police inspector, were killed in attacks across several communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

On June 6, at least 12 residents, including pregnant women and children, were killed in a midnight attack on Ngbra-Zongo community in Bassa Local Government Area.

These attacks led Governor Caleb Mutfwang to visit affected areas in Barkin Ladi and Bassa, where he announced new security measures, including restrictions on night grazing and mining activities in vulnerable areas.

Last week, gunmen also attacked the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos South Local Government Area, killing two soldiers and a police officer. This incident made President Bola Tinubu order immediate security reinforcements around the institution and other key facilities.

As of now, the police have not released an official statement regarding the latest attack in Bokkos.

Messages and calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, and the spokesperson for Operation Enduring Peace, Polycarp Oteh, have not received any response.