18 Farmers Killed, Several Injured as Gunmen Attack Plateau Community

Residents of Kawel village in Mushere District, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, have been thrown into mourning following a deadly attack by suspected bandits that left at least 18 farmers dead and several others injured.
According to reports, the attackers stormed the community at about 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, opening fire on residents in what locals described as another tragic episode of violence that has continued to plague communities in Plateau State.
A youth leader in Bokkos, Christopher Luka, confirmed the incident, revealing that he received a distress call shortly after the attack began.
Speaking on the development, Luka said a youth council member alerted him around midnight that heavily armed gunmen had invaded Kawel village and were shooting indiscriminately.
“A youth leader called around 12 a.m. and informed me that gunmen had attacked the community and shot over 20 people. So far, 18 deaths have been confirmed,” he stated.
Upon receiving the report, Luka said he immediately contacted security personnel stationed in Bokkos, who confirmed they had also received information about the attack and were mobilizing to the area.
“I contacted the security personnel, and they confirmed that they had already been alerted and were on their way to the attacked community,” he added.
The latest attack comes barely five days after the killing of the District Head of Gwande in Bokkos LGA, Saf Samuel Alaket, who was reportedly ambushed and murdered by gunmen while returning from a traditional council meeting along the Sha District axis bordering Daffo community.
Community leaders have described the latest assault as unprovoked and have called on security agencies and the government to take urgent and decisive action to halt the recurring bloodshed in the area.
The incident has once again highlighted the worsening security situation in parts of Plateau State, particularly in Bokkos and surrounding communities, where residents have repeatedly suffered attacks despite ongoing security operations.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to issue an official statement regarding the attack, while fears remain high among residents over the possibility of further violence.
The latest massacre adds to growing concerns about the persistent insecurity across Nigeria’s Middle Belt, with citizens urging the federal and state governments to strengthen security measures and ensure that perpetrators of such attacks are brought to justice.