Fresh Attacks in Plateau Leave 14 Villagers, Police Officer Dead

At least 14 villagers and a mobile police officer lost their lives on Thursday during two separate attacks by armed assailants in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

One of the attacks reportedly occurred around 4:00 p.m., targeting residents from the Chirang community as they returned from the Bokkos market to Mangor village.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, Kefas Mallai, said the victims were ambushed by suspected terrorists, resulting in 14 deaths and injuries to three others.

“There was an attack on our people this evening. Fourteen locals were ambushed and killed, and three others were injured while returning from Bokkos Market to Mangor Village,” Mallai stated.

He added that security forces had moved into the area to restore calm and safeguard residents.

Earlier that day, a separate attack claimed the life of a mobile police officer who was stationed at a checkpoint along Richa Road within the same local government area.

Mallai described the situation as tragic, saying, “Our hearts are bleeding. Earlier this morning, a mobile police officer was killed at his duty post. This is what happened in Bokkos today.”

The Chairman of Bokkos Local Government, Amalau Amalau, also confirmed the attacks, describing the situation as a dire emergency.

“We’re currently taking the victims to the Jos University Teaching Hospital. It’s a serious emergency,” he said.

Efforts to reach the Plateau State Police Command for comment were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson’s phone was switched off. However, sources confirmed that additional security personnel had been deployed to the area to address the situation.

In response to the killings, several residents expressed outrage and renewed calls for the establishment of state police as a long-term solution to ongoing insecurity.

“The Federal Government and the National Assembly must act now. Many states have been demanding permission to establish their own police forces. It’s time to take that step to prevent further loss of lives,” said Choji Bulus, a resident of Barkin Ladi.