Plateau massacre: Death toll rises above 30 as residents count losses

Death toll from Sunday night’s attack on Kawel village in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State has reportedly risen to 30, as some of the injured victims succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment in the hospital.

Community leaders and residents have also reported that some of the victims include health workers and security personnel who were also caught in the crossfire during the attack.

Residents said the attack was carried out by suspected Fulani militias who invaded the village in their hundreds and attacked the residents who had already retired for the night.

A youth leader in Bokkos LGA, Christopher Luka, who spoke with journalists earlier in the day, also confirmed that the death toll had risen following fresh assessments.

“I visited the hospital and saw the situation myself. So far, 22 deaths have been recorded, including women. The victims are yet to be buried because of the rainfall experienced since morning,” Luka said.

He also confirmed that the victims included health workers serving at the hospital and some patients who were receiving treatment.

The Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, Kefas Mallai, also confirmed the rise in the death toll, saying as at Monday afternoon, not less than 25 people had been certified dead following the attack.

According to Mallai, the impact of the attack would have been less if security personnel had arrived on time. He lamented that despite frantic calls, security operatives did not come on time to tackle the invaders.

Mallai also accused security agencies of inaction despite prior intelligence, alleging that attackers operate from nearby occupied communities.

“The criminals left without being apprehended, but the security agents are now scattered in the bushes looking for whether they can arrest any of the perpetrators,” he said.

Also confirming the development, the Plateau State Police Command said the command has already commenced an investigation into the incident, while a manhunt is on to apprehend the fleeing bandits.

“The Plateau State Police Command is deeply saddened to confirm an attack on Kawel Community, Mushere District, Bokkos Local Government Area, in the early hours of Sunday, 21st June 2026, at about 04:40am, by a group of armed hoodlums,” the Police statement signed by the In a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, said.

“Upon receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police,e Plateau State Command, CP Bassey Ewah, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer, Bokkos Division, to mobilise police personnel to the scene.

“The team, in collaboration with operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and other sister security agencies, engaged the assailants in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat.

“Regrettably, eighteen (18) persons were confirmed dead at the scene of the attack, while three (3) others were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

“Subsequently, two (2) of the injured victims were confirmed dead by a medical doctor, bringing the total number of casualties to twenty (20).

“The remains of the victims have since been released to their families for burial, as the families declined an autopsy,” Alabo said.

Plateau massacre: Death toll rises above 30 as residents count losses