Suspected gunmen have attacked Mbar community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday night, killing five people just 11 days after a similar attack in Congo community within the same LGA, where seven people were killed.
Barrister Farmasum Fuddang, Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguard, confirmed the attack to journalists in Jos.
He condemned the violence, stating that the victims, unarmed youths, were ambushed while travelling from Mbar town to Koh village via a bypass encircling Yelwa Nono village. The attack occurred between 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. by gunmen on motorcycles who had initially been repelled by the military from surrounding mountains.
Fuddang criticised the delayed response of security forces, noting that by the time they arrived, the attackers had already completed their assault and fled. He expressed concerns that this incident is part of a broader pattern of armed attacks aimed at displacing local communities. He referenced previous attacks, including the recent murders of 11 youths in Tarangol, Daffo, and Bargesh villages.
The social-cultural organisation extended its condolences to the families of the victims and urged the community to remain vigilant.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Alabo Alfred, had not yet responded to inquiries regarding the incident.