At least 14 people, including women and children, were killed on Thursday evening in a fresh attack in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. The victims were reportedly returning from a weekly market in Bokkos town when their vehicle was ambushed by gunmen along Chirang Road in the Mangor District.
The attack marks the latest in a series of violent incidents in Plateau State, a region that has witnessed repeated communal and terrorist-related violence in recent months. According to local reports, the victims were unarmed civilians returning home from routine market activities when they were suddenly attacked by unidentified assailants. Eyewitness accounts indicate that several of the deceased were women and infants, further heightening the outrage surrounding the incident.
This latest killing comes less than a month after another deadly ambush in the state, where travellers returning from a wedding ceremony in Kaduna were similarly targeted and killed. The recurring nature of these attacks has raised widespread concern over what residents and observers describe as a deepening security crisis in Plateau State.
In a swift reaction to the Thursday killings, the Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF) issued a statement condemning the incident. The group’s chairman, Farmasum Fuddang, expressed grief and frustration, describing the attack as another “sad reminder” of the persistent insecurity in the region despite ongoing peace efforts.
Fuddang alleged that the attack was part of a coordinated plan by members of a specific ethnic group, aimed at forcibly taking over farmlands and displacing communities in the area. He claimed that the ultimate goal of the attackers is to gain control over the local government territory, which is widely known as the potato-producing hub of Nigeria.
“The victims were returning from the weekly market in Bokkos town when their vehicle was ambushed,” Fuddang said. “Victims included women and little babies. This violence occurs despite various so-called peace and reconciliation efforts.”
He further accused the perpetrators of orchestrating systematic violence to achieve territorial dominance. “Their goal is to take control of the entire local government area,” he stated.
In response to the allegations, the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN) denied any involvement of the Fulani community in the attack. Speaking on behalf of the association, Saleh Adamu, chairman of GAFDAN in Bokkos, urged for restraint and thorough investigation before any group is blamed.
Adamu maintained that there is no evidence linking the Fulani to the ambush. “The allegation has no basis because there is no evidence that the attack was carried out by the Fulani. And no herder was arrested at the scene to prove it was carried out by Fulani,” he said.
He added that this was the first time such an allegation was being made in the area, suggesting that the accusation might be politically or ethnically motivated. He condemned the killings unequivocally and called for justice.
“We condemn the attack in its totality, as the killing of innocent people is not in any way justified by any offense,” Adamu stated. “We condemn the killings.”
As of the time of this report, neither the Nigerian Police nor any other security agency had issued an official statement regarding the incident. The silence from authorities has led to increased anxiety among residents, with many calling for immediate intervention to prevent further violence.
Community leaders and local groups are urging the government to take swift action to restore law and order in the region. The lack of a prompt response from security officials has drawn criticism from the public and raised fears that further attacks could occur if decisive steps are not taken.
Plateau State has long been a flashpoint for communal clashes, often stemming from disputes over land, ethnicity, and grazing routes. The recurrence of such attacks, particularly against civilians, continues to strain peace efforts and fuel mistrust among communities.
Residents are calling for greater security presence in vulnerable areas, as well as a transparent investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for Thursday’s deadly ambush. With tensions running high and fears of reprisal attacks looming, many are urging federal and state authorities to act swiftly to prevent the crisis from escalating further.
