Bandits ravaging communities in Plateau State have killed three people, including a pastor, and displaced hundreds of residents in a fresh attack on Suwa and Ding’ak villages in the Mushere chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area of the State.
The attack, which reportedly occurred between 1pm and 2pm on Friday, claimed the lives of a cleric identified as Pastor Gideon Katings of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Suwa, Sunday Ringkang, and Meshach Bukata.
Several others, including one Michael Kamshak, reportedly sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Cottage Hospital, Bokkos.
Confirming the incident in Jos on Friday night, the Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, Kefas Mallai, said hundreds of residents of the community have been displaced.
“Between 1:00 hours and 2:00 today, Friday, 8th August 2025, Suwa and Ding’ak villages in Mushere chiefdom of Bokkos LGA were attacked by terrorists leading to the untimely death of three, including Pst Gideon Katings of COCIN Suwa, Sunday Ringkang, and Meshach Bukata; while Michael Kamshak and others were injured and currently receiving treatment at Cottage Hospital Bokkos. Several residents in their hundreds have been displaced,” Mallaias was quoted as saying.
However, SaharaReporters’ efforts to confirm the incident from the Plateau State Police Command, as calls made to the phone number of the Public Relations Officer of the command, Alabo Alfred, returned “not available,” and then, “switched off.”
Friday’s attack is the latest in a string of violent attacks that have rocked Bokkos and other communities of Plateau state in recent months.
In the past month alone, more than 20 villagers have been killed in separate assaults, with homes razed and farmlands destroyed.
In June, no fewer than 19 people, including women and children were killed when terrorists launched an attack on two communities in Bokkos and Mangu local government areas of the state.
The Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Amalau Samuel Amalau, has repeatedly called on security agencies to take decisive action against armed militias, warning that continued inaction would lead to further loss of lives and mass displacement.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has also condemned the repeated violent killings by bandits, describing the incidents as “genocide”.
He has severally vowed to work closely with security agencies to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safety of residents.
However, the escalating insecurity in the area has left many communities deserted, with displaced residents seeking refuge in neighbouring villages and makeshift camps.
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