Plateau: 15 killed in fresh night attacks on Mangu, Bokkos communities

A dark cloud once again hangs over Plateau State, as at least 15 people have been confirmed dead following coordinated attacks on two communities in the state’s Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas.

The violence erupted on Thursday night, with gunmen launching deadly assaults in Manja, a community in Chakfem Kingdom of Mangu LGA, and Tangur in Bokkos LGA. Residents described the scenes as chaotic and terrifying, as the assailants struck when many had retired for the day.

Eyewitness accounts reveal that the attack on Tangur began around 9 p.m., catching villagers off guard as they prepared for bed. Meanwhile, the assault on Manja occurred earlier in the evening, but was no less brutal.

Sources from both affected areas said that seven people were killed in Mangu, while eight were confirmed dead in Bokkos. Victims were reportedly attacked in their homes as the assailants fired indiscriminately and broke into residences.

“The gunmen came to their community and started shooting sporadically, while breaking into people’s homes,” said a local source.

Shohotden Mathias Ibrahim, Director of Culture for the Mwaghavul Development Association and Director of the IDP (Pilot Science) Camp in Mangu, confirmed the fatality count in the Mangu attack. He also noted that the community remains on edge.

“There is currently tension in the community,” he stated.

Attempts to reach community leaders in Bokkos for comments were unsuccessful at the time of this report, as messages sent to them remained unanswered.

(DAILY TRUST)