By Ayo Kehinde
Fresh tragedy struck the Mbwelle community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State Thursday night, as suspected terrorists launched a deadly attack, killing no fewer than eight persons in a coordinated shooting spree that has once again heightened concerns over security in the region.
The attack, which reportedly began around 11:00 p.m., lasted for nearly an hour, with gunmen invading the quiet rural settlement and opening fire indiscriminately on residents.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants appeared to have specifically targeted members of a single extended family, leaving behind a devastating toll of deaths, injuries, and missing persons.
Sources within the community confirmed that at least three persons sustained serious injuries during the attack, while several others are still unaccounted for, raising fears that the casualty figure may rise as search efforts continue.
The victims of the attack have been identified as Elder Iliya Mangut Dakus, Mr Luck Titus Dakus, Mr Habila Istifanu Dakus, Mr Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Mrs Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus, and Mr Innocent Barnabas Makwin. Their deaths have plunged the community into mourning, with many residents describing the incident as one of the most painful in recent times.
Confirming the development, the chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, Kefas Mallai, decried what he described as the absence of a prompt security response during the prolonged attack. He noted that Mbwelle’s proximity to Bokkos town raises serious concerns about the responsiveness and deployment of security personnel in the area.
“The community is very close to Bokkos town. The attack lasted for several hours with no visible security presence to repel the attackers”, Mallai said, expressing frustration over the situation.
Mallai further disclosed that anger is building among residents, many of whom are contemplating peaceful protests to demand better protection and accountability from security agencies. He also alleged that available security personnel were stationed in another community, which locals suspect may have links to the attackers, leaving Mbwelle exposed.
In a similar vein, Youth Leader of Bokkos, Christopher Luka, described the incident as “a sad and devastating assault” on the people of Bokkos and the wider state. He called for urgent intervention by government authorities to prevent further bloodshed and restore confidence among residents.
“The gunmen came around 11 pm and started shooting sporadically. They targeted one family mostly. We have eight confirmed dead, some seriously injured, and others still unaccounted for”, Luka stated.
Despite the grief and tension, community leaders have urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding, stressing the importance of unity and cooperation with security agencies to ensure that those responsible are apprehended and brought to justice.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Plateau State Police Command through its spokesman, DSP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful. However, indications suggest that security agencies are expected to intensify surveillance and possibly deploy additional personnel to the affected area.
Meanwhile, humanitarian needs are mounting, with injured victims requiring urgent medical attention and displaced families in need of relief support. Local authorities and community organisations are said to be mobilising assistance to cushion the impact of the attack.
This latest incident underscores the persistent security challenges facing rural communities in Plateau State, prompting renewed calls for a comprehensive strategy that combines effective policing, intelligence gathering, and grassroots peacebuilding initiatives.
