No fewer than 19 people have been killed and several others injured after gunmen launched a late-night attack on Kawel village in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau state.
The attackers reportedly stormed the farming community around 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, opening fire on residents who were asleep in their homes.
Residents said the assault triggered panic across the village as families fled into nearby bushes in search of safety while the gunmen fired indiscriminately.
A community member, Malo Bitrus, described the attack as devastating, saying the assailants invaded the village under the cover of darkness and shot at residents without warning.
According to him, many people were caught unprepared, while survivors spent the night hiding in surrounding forests until daybreak.
Confirming the incident, Christopher Luka, Bokkos youth leader said local youth leaders received distress calls shortly after midnight informing them that armed men had invaded the community.
He disclosed that 19 deaths had been confirmed, while several victims who sustained gunshot injuries were receiving treatment in hospitals.
Luka said security agencies were alerted immediately after the attack, but the assailants had already inflicted heavy casualties before help arrived.
The latest attack comes days after the killing of the District Head of Gwande, Saf Samuel Alaket, who was reportedly ambushed and murdered by gunmen near the Sha-Daffo axis of Bokkos Local Government Area.
The renewed violence has heightened concerns among residents over worsening insecurity in the area, with community leaders calling for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable settlements.
As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the attack. However, local vigilantes and security personnel have reportedly been deployed to the community to prevent further violence and maintain order.
Residents are also demanding a review of the security strategy in Bokkos, citing repeated attacks and delayed responses to emergency calls.
