MUSHERE DISTRICT, PLATEAU STATE – At least 22 people have been killed following a coordinated nighttime attack by armed gunmen on the Kawel and Kopkon communities in Mushere District, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attackers reportedly struck around midnight on Sunday, June 21, with the assault continuing into the early hours of Monday, June 22, 2026. Witnesses said the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately on residents and invaded a Primary Health Care Centre in the area, leaving a trail of death and destruction.
Among those killed were farmers, health workers, a retired army officer, and possibly security personnel. Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack.
Security sources disclosed that troops of Operation Enduring Peace, Sector 5, responded to distress calls from the affected communities. Upon arrival, they recovered 12 bodies from Kawel and six from Kopkon, bringing the initial confirmed death toll to 18.
However, local officials and community leaders said the number of fatalities later rose, with reports placing the death toll between 20 and 22. Some residents fear the final figure could exceed 25 as search efforts continue and injured victims receive treatment.
Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Samuel Amalau, alongside youth leaders in the district, confirmed the attack and described the incident as a tragic blow to already vulnerable communities.
Videos circulating on social media show grieving families, damaged property, and the aftermath of the violence, highlighting the scale of devastation suffered by residents.
Security forces have since launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, while the Plateau State Police Command has ordered additional deployments to strengthen security and prevent further attacks in the area.
The latest killings add to a growing pattern of violent attacks and communal unrest in Bokkos and other parts of Plateau State, where tensions linked to land disputes, farming activities, and farmer-herder conflicts have repeatedly triggered deadly confrontations.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as investigations continue.
