Insecurity Deepens in Plateau: 52 Killed as Fear Grips Bokkos Communities
40 more bodies recovered in latest massacre
Residents live in fear as government promises justice
The latest wave of deadly violence in Plateau State has once again exposed the fragile state of security in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Forty additional bodies were recovered on Friday from the aftermath of coordinated attacks in Bokkos Local Government Area, bringing the total death toll to 52.
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The attacks, which occurred Wednesday night, targeted several communities including Mangor Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna (Tagai), Hurti, and Tadai. Residents say they were ambushed in their sleep by heavily armed assailants who opened fire indiscriminately and burned homes, leaving destruction and terror in their wake.
“This is not just a security failure; it is a humanitarian disaster,” said Farmasum Fuddang, Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard. He revealed that 31 of the victims were buried in a mass grave on Thursday. Tragically, five children were reportedly burnt alive in Hurti village, while other deaths were recorded in Ruwi (11), Manguna (4), and Dafo (1).
Despite repeated attacks on Plateau communities in recent months, residents say little has changed. Many now live in constant fear, unsure of when the next round of violence will erupt. “We no longer sleep with our eyes closed. We are not safe in our own homes,” one local resident said, pleading for anonymity.
The state government acknowledged the attacks and confirmed that some suspects have been arrested, though it failed to disclose how many. In a statement from Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, the government extended its condolences to grieving families and reiterated its commitment to tackling insecurity.
“The Mutfwang administration has intensified efforts to improve intelligence gathering and rapid response mechanisms,” she said, adding that religious and traditional leaders must also help promote peace and unity.
However, for many citizens, these words ring hollow in the face of unrelenting bloodshed. The latest massacre follows a disturbing pattern of attacks that have plagued Plateau and other volatile regions of the country, where communities are often left to fend for themselves amid poor security presence and delayed military response.
Calls are growing louder for the federal government and security agencies to take urgent, decisive action to restore law and order. Critics argue that until attackers are prosecuted and security architecture is overhauled, Nigerians in vulnerable regions will continue to live under siege.
As the nation mourns yet another tragedy, the fundamental right to life remains under threat for thousands living in Nigeria’s conflict-ridden heartland.
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Insecurity Deepens in Plateau: 52 Killed as Fear Grips Bokkos Communities