NIGERIA: Death Toll In Plateau Attacks Rises To 52

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguard, Farmasum Fuddang, has confirmed the increase in the death toll from recent attacks in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State to 52.

This comes after the discovery of 40 additional bodies on Wednesday and Thursday nights, following a series of violent assaults by gunmen on April 2, 2025.

It was reported that the attacks occurred when gunmen stormed multiple communities in Bokkos Local Government Area, including Mangor Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna (Tagai), Hurti, and Tadai.

According to eyewitness accounts, the gunmen opened fire on innocent residents, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.

However, Fuddang disclosed the grim update during a press briefing in Jos on Friday, detailing the devastating toll on local communities.

He stated: “31 persons were given a mass burial on Thursday, with another five underage victims burnt to ashes in Hurti village. Eleven others were killed in Ruwi village, four in Manguna, and one in Dafo village.”

Meanwhile, authorities are still searching the area for missing persons, with security forces continuing to comb the affected villages for survivors.

In the wake of the attacks, the Plateau State Government has confirmed that several suspects have been arrested in connection with the violence.

Mrs. Joyce Ramnap, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, condemned the attacks in a statement issued on Friday.

She noted: “The Plateau State Government condemns the recent wave of violent attacks in the early hours of April 2, 2025, at Manguno, Josho, and Daffo communities in Bokkos Local Government Area. Several communities were razed, and innocent lives were lost,” Ramnap said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and assure them that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

She emphasized the state government’s commitment to ensuring the security and safety of all residents. “Governor Caleb Mutfwang and his administration remain fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of all Plateau residents,” Ramnap added.

Security agencies have been deployed to the affected areas to restore normalcy, and the government has urged citizens to remain calm.

The state government also called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the relevant security agencies. “Citizens must actively cooperate with law enforcement to facilitate the identification and apprehension of those responsible for these heinous acts,” she said.

In addition, Ramnap highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response mechanisms in collaboration with security operatives.

“The Governor Mutfwang-led administration has deployed strategic measures to enhance intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response mechanisms in collaboration with security operatives,” she said.

The Plateau State Government has also appealed to religious, traditional, and community leaders to help spread messages of peace, unity, and lawful engagement among residents.

“We remain resolute in our commitment to upholding law and order and will not relent in our pursuit of justice against those who seek to destabilize our communities,” Ramnap concluded.