Suspected Fulani bandits have killed 18 persons and several others injured in a fresh attack on Kawel and Kopkon communities in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
Zagazola Makama said that troops of Sector 5 under Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) initially responded to the coordinated attacks at about 1:20 a.m. on June 20, 2026.
According to sources, the assailants invaded Kawel and Kopkon villages, shooting sporadically before fleeing the scene prior to the arrival of security forces.
Upon arrival, troops discovered 12 bodies in Kawel village and six bodies in Kopkon village, bringing the total number of fatalities to 18.
The attackers had reportedly escaped before troops could make contact.
The sources stated that troops immediately launched offensive operations in the general area aimed at tracking and apprehending the fleeing suspects.
The attack occurred less than five days after the District Head of Gwande in the same Bokkos LGA, Saf Samuel Alaket, was killed in an ambush along the Sha District axis bordering Daffo community.
The deceased was returning home after a traditional council meeting when he ran into the ambush.
However, Bokkos Youth Leader, Christopher Luka, said on Monday that the latest round of attack occurred around 11:30 p.m on Sunday, adding that he alongside two other members of the youth council reported the incident as it happened.
“A youth leader called around 12 a.m. that gunmen attacked the community and shot over 20 people, so 18 were confirmed dead” Luka said.
He further explained that as soon as he was informed, he reported the matter to security personnel stationed in Bokkos.
“I called the security and they confirmed to me that they had been alerted and were on their way to the attacked community,” he said.
The youth leader described the attack as unprovoked and called on security forces to take decisive action to arrest the situation before it escalates.
So far, no security agency has spoken on the situation.
Both spokespersons of the Plateau State Police Command and Operation Enduring Peace – SP Alabo Alfred and Captain Polycarp Oteh are yet to respond to inquiries.
Plateau State has continued to witnessed a series of violent incidents across some local government areas, including Bokkos and Riyom, where farmers and herders clashes continued to escalate resulting in multiple fatalities, despite response by the security agencies.
Operation Enduring has intensified patrols and security deployments in parts of Plateau State following recurring attacks in some rural communities.
Zagazola Makama/Daily Trust
