At least 19 people have been killed in renewed violence in Plateau State, following coordinated attacks on Thursday night in communities across Mangu and Bokkos local government areas.
According to local reports, the assaults occurred in Manja community of Chakfem Kingdom in Mangu and Tangur community in Bokkos, with the gunmen striking at separate times.
Witnesses said the attack in Tangur began around 9 pm just as residents were preparing for bed, while the assault on Chakfem reportedly occurred earlier in the evening.
Sources from both areas confirmed the casualty figures to Daily Trust.
Seven people were killed in the Mangu attack, while 12 lost their lives in Bokkos.
In describing the ordeal, a local source said, “The gunmen came to their community and began shooting sporadically, breaking into people’s houses.”
Shohotden Mathias Ibrahim, Director of Culture, Mwaghavul Development Association and Director of the IDP (pilot science) camp in Mangu, verified the Mangu death toll, noting that the community remains on edge.
“There is tension in the community,” he told our correspondent.
Meanwhile, Farmasum Fuddang, Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard and a lawyer, confirmed the death toll in Bokkos.
“Twelve people have been confirmed dead so far,” he said.
Efforts to get official police confirmation proved unsuccessful.
Phone calls and messages sent to Alfred Alabo, the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, were not returned as of press time. While the messages were delivered, no response was received.
Similarly, Major Samson Zhakom, spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), acknowledged the inquiry but said he would revert with details.
He had not done so by the time this report was filed.
