Eight persons have been confirmed dead following a late-night attack by suspected terrorists on Mbwelle village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria.
The assailants reportedly stormed the community around 11 p.m. on Thursday, opening fire indiscriminately on residents in an attack that lasted nearly an hour. Sources within the community said the gunmen operated unchallenged, leaving multiple casualties and several others injured.
It was gathered that most of the victims were members of the same family, deepening the grief and shock within the rural settlement. At least three persons sustained injuries during the attack, while an unspecified number of residents are still missing as of the time of filing this report.
Those killed in 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.
Confirming the incident, Kefas Mallai, Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos Local Government Area, said the attack has thrown the community into fear and uncertainty. He alleged that there was no visible security presence throughout the duration of the attack, allowing the assailants to operate unhindered.
According to him, residents are increasingly frustrated over what they describe as a failure by security agencies to respond promptly despite the proximity of the affected area to Bokkos town. He added that tensions are rising, with some locals already planning protests to demand better protection.
Mallai further claimed that security personnel have been deployed to safeguard a particular community suspected by locals to be linked to the attackers, a development that has fueled anger among residents.
Also speaking, Christopher Luka, Youth Leader of Bokkos, described the incident as a tragic and devastating assault, not just on the people of Bokkos but on the entire state. He called for urgent intervention to prevent further loss of lives.
