Grief in Plateau: Over 50 Lives Lost in Coordinated Community Attacks

A wave of deadly attacks has swept through Plateau State’s Bokkos Local Government Area, leaving 52 people dead, including minors. The coordinated assault affected at least six villages — Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai — where homes and food reserves were also torched.

The violent spree began on March 28 when armed assailants, believed to be cattle herders, ambushed mourners in Ruwi community, killing 10 individuals. The subsequent attacks claimed more lives, prompting mass burials and frantic searches for missing persons in surrounding forests.

According to Farmasum Fuddang, Chairperson of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council, 31 victims were laid to rest in a mass burial on Thursday. He further disclosed that five children were burned alive in Hurti village, while additional fatalities were reported in Ruwi, Manguna, and Dafo.

While the Plateau State Police Command has not released an official statement, Information Commissioner Joyce Ramnap confirmed that some suspects have been arrested following security deployments. She stated that Governor Caleb Mutfwang remains dedicated to safeguarding lives and has directed efforts to strengthen intelligence, surveillance, and rapid response operations.

Ms. Ramnap also urged residents to avoid retaliatory actions and to assist security agencies in identifying those responsible for the attacks.

In response to the ongoing bloodshed, Amnesty International issued a statement demanding urgent government intervention. The organization estimated that at least 1,336 people were killed between December 2023 and February 2024 in Plateau State, particularly in Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi LGAs.

Amnesty criticized the government’s failure to act on early warnings or ensure justice, warning that rural communities have been left vulnerable to incessant violence. The group called for a thorough and independent investigation and for perpetrators to be held accountable.

The recent violence follows a history of deadly clashes in Plateau State, including the devastating Christmas Eve attack in Bokkos in 2023 that claimed over 100 lives.