Plateau attack: Death toll rises to 22

By : Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos

Date: 23 Jun 2025

This image grab made from an AFPTV video taken in Maiyanga village, in Bokkos local government, on December 27, 2023 shows families burying in a mass grave their relatives killed in deadly attacks conducted by armed groups in Nigeria's central Plateau State. - The death toll from a series of attacks on villages in central Nigeria has climbed to almost 200, local authorities said on December 27, 2023, as survivors began to bury the dead. Armed groups launched attacks between December 23, 2023 and December 26, 2023 in Nigeria's Plateau State, a region plagued for several years by religious and ethnic tensions. (Photo by Kim Masara / AFPTV / AFP)

The death toll from an attack by gunmen on various communities of Plateau State on Thursday, June 19, 2025, has risen to 22.

In the Tangur community of Bokkos Local Government Council of the state, 10 persons were massacred to death in cold blood. The figure of casualties increased by four at the weekend.

Six people were massacred in Manja and Chakfem communities of Mangu bordering Mushere community of Bokkos, while three people were ambushed on Kperie Road of Kwall District of Bassa, where two were instantly murdered while the other one was seriously injured.

According to eyewitnesses, the victims were mostly women and children.

Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, Mr. Kefas Mallai, confirmed the killings to newsmen in Jos.

Mallai said, “The attack occurred around 8.30 p.m. on Thursday night. People were going about their business peacefully when suddenly, gunmen appeared and started shooting.

“The men tried to respond but couldn’t defend themselves. Some had to hide, but the women and children, being more vulnerable, were mostly the ones killed; thirteen bodies were found this morning. They didn’t burn any houses; they were just shooting. Anyone vulnerable they came across was targeted.”

Executive Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Council of Plateau State, Hon. Amalau Samuel Amalau, confirmed the sad incident. He said the attackers came late at night and started killing innocent people.

Amalau said that some of the victims are receiving treatment in different hospitals, noting that security personnel were alerted to the attack, but unfortunately, they arrived after the perpetrators had fled the scene.