Ten people were killed and many others injured on Wednesday in a series of attacks on five communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, bringing the total death toll in the LGA to 20 within one week.
The attackers also burned houses, while several residents remain missing.
The latest assault happened six days after gunmen killed 10 people and injured three others during a wake-keep ceremony in Ruwi, also in Bokkos LGA.
The state police command had confirmed the earlier attack and stated that security personnel were deployed to restore order.
Our correspondent gathered that the latest attacks have forced residents of the affected communities and neighbouring areas to flee for their lives.
Confirming Wednesday’s attacks, the Chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC), Farmasum Fuddang, detailed how the gunmen struck multiple villages.
He accused Fulani assailants of carrying out the attacks, stating that survivors reported hearing them speaking the Fulani dialect. But the Fulani denied the accusation.
“The attacks happened in the afternoon, starting in Mongor, but security forces managed to repel the attackers. They then moved to Daffo, where security forces again intervened. However, they proceeded to Manguna, Hurti and Tadai villages, launching further attacks,” Fuddang said.
He lamented the rising death toll, revealing that over 20 people had been killed in Bokkos LGA within just one week.
“On April 2 alone, they killed more than 10 people. We appreciate the Nigerian military and police for their quick response, which helped reduce casualties,” he said.
The BCDC chairman also called for urgent humanitarian intervention.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of the invasions in Ruwi, Mongor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti and Tadai. We urge emergency agencies like NEMA, SEMA and the Nigerian Red Cross to swiftly provide relief to the displaced and injured,” he said.
Fuddang revealed that over 50 villages in Bokkos LGA have been attacked in the past six months, resulting in many deaths and the destruction of homes.
We are not responsible – Fulani group
The Plateau State Chairman of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN), Garba Abdullahi, dismissed the allegation that Fulani carried out the attacks, describing it as “a mere fabrication.”
He said, “While we sympathise with all the affected communities, we condemned the attacks in totality. It is barbaric and uncalled for. The Fulani community wishes to state categorically that the allegations by Bokkos Cultural Development Council of Fulani’s involvement in attacking their communities is a mere fabrication and falsehood.
“Fulfulde is a general language understood by a majority of tribes in Nigeria. So it is not surprising that criminals can speak the language and hide under it to commit crimes.
“We are calling on well-meaning Nigerians, government at all levels, security agencies and the international community to disregard the allegations, as they are fabrications, misleading and capable of inciting genocide against the peace-loving Fulani of Bokkos LGA in particular and Plateau in general,” the state chairman said.
Govt calls for calm
Reacting to the latest wave of violence, Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, condemned the attacks and urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and peaceful.
She also called on security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“I am calling for calm and restraint. I urge our citizens to remain vigilant yet peaceful. We commend the efforts of security operatives for their response and urge them to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book. We also sympathise with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the attacks,” she said in a phone interview.
Security agencies mum
Efforts to obtain a response from security agencies proved futile, as the spokespersons for the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, and Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, did not respond to calls, text messages, or WhatsApp inquiries from our correspondent as of press time.
Bokkos residents express fear
Residents of Bokkos have expressed frustration over the attacks, stating that the recurring violence has instilled fear and could disrupt this year’s farming season.
Bishop Ayuba Matawal, Chairman of the Bokkos IDPs Welfare Committee, condemned the violence, highlighting the growing burden on displaced persons.
“With the current situation in Bokkos, we expect more people, especially women and children, to flood the IDP camps. We already have a large number of displaced persons even before this latest attack. Farming is no longer an option in these areas because people are too afraid to return,” he said.
Comrade Magit Sabastine, Chairman of Butura Youth Movement in Butura district, called for increased security deployment.
“We have started farm clearing, but with these attacks, you hardly see people on their farms. We were beginning to enjoy relative peace after the Christmas Eve attacks in 2023, but now we are back to uncertainty. Security forces are trying, but we need more personnel,” he said.
A former Bokkos councillor, Danjuma Mabas, also condemned the attacks, urging the authorities to act decisively to prevent further disruptions.
“These attacks will cripple farming activities, cause severe hardship. Nearly 100% of the people here are farmers, and that is their only source of livelihood. If this continues, hunger and economic struggles will worsen,” Mabas warned.
Recent attacks on Plateau villages
Recent attacks on villages in Plateau State have heightened concerns over security and stability in the state.
In the past weeks, several communities had been targeted, leading to significant loss of life and the displacement of residents.
On March 28, 2025, gunmen attacked the Ruwi community in Bokkos, killing 10 people.
Earlier, on January 31, five individuals were killed in a night assault on Lighitlubang village in the Mangu Local Government Area (LGA).
On March 24, three people lost their lives in Dundu village, located in Kwall District, Bassa LGA.
In a separate attack on March 6, an entire family was killed in Pyakmalu, under the Tangur District of Bokkos LGA.
Similarly, two individuals were murdered in Jol community, Bokkos LGA, on February 10.
The violence had earlier claimed 15 lives in the Tingbwa Gidan Ado community, located in the Riyom LGA, on December 22, 2024.
