Plateau Carnage: 40 Killed, 383 Homes Razed in Bokkos as Village Head Cries for Help

At least 40 people were confirmed dead and nearly 1,000 displaced following a brutal assault on Hurti and other communities in the Manguna District of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State. The attack, which occurred on April 2, has left a trail of death, destruction, and despair in its wake.

Village Head of Hurti, Mr. Maren Aradong, made the grim revelation during an assessment visit to the community by the Secretary to the Plateau State Government (SSG), Mr. Samuel Jatau, and other top government officials. Speaking to newsmen on Sunday in Jos, Aradong detailed the scale of devastation, describing how assailants on motorcycles stormed Hurti and surrounding villages in broad daylight, setting homes ablaze, looting food supplies, and unleashing terror.

“In Hurti alone, these gunmen killed more than 40 people and displaced about 1,000 persons. They also burnt 383 houses, destroyed foodstuff, and looted other items,” Aradong said solemnly, calling for stronger security presence in the region to prevent further bloodshed.

Coordinated Violence, Not Farmer-Herder Clash, Says Governor

The Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has denounced the wave of attacks as a coordinated and premeditated act of terrorism rather than the widely speculated farmer-herder conflict. He pointed fingers at what he described as “conflict merchants” who profit from stoking unrest and destabilization in Plateau communities.

“These killings are not coincidental or spontaneous. They are part of a well-coordinated scheme by enemies of peace who thrive on violence and bloodshed,” the governor had stated earlier in the week, underlining the need for intelligence-driven security operations to apprehend the masterminds.

His stance echoes long-standing concerns that criminal syndicates and ethno-religious extremists are behind the cyclical violence that has plagued Plateau State for years.

Operation Rainbow Describes Plateau Attack as Setback to Peace Process

Retired Brigadier-General Gagji Shipi, Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, the Plateau state-owned security initiative, also confirmed the assault. Shipi expressed deep disappointment at the incident, labeling it a major setback to ongoing peace efforts aimed at fostering reconciliation and coexistence among Plateau’s diverse communities.

“The recent attack is not only unfortunate but a blow to all the peacebuilding strides made over the past few months. We are deploying additional intelligence and security reinforcements to prevent recurrence,” Shipi said.

He further warned that unless proactive measures were intensified, the Plateau state risked sliding into another round of reprisals and long-term displacement, adding that such violence has long-term socio-economic repercussions.

Plateau State Government Delegation Visits, Distributes Relief Materials

During the assessment visit, SSG Samuel Jatau led the state delegation to Hurti where he consoled grieving families and delivered a message of hope and solidarity from the Plateau state government. He decried the inhumanity of the attack and promised immediate and long-term intervention to support the victims.

“We are here to see things for ourselves and ascertain the level of damage. It is unfortunate that in this era, people could still kill innocent citizens and destroy their properties so callously,” Jatau remarked.

In the interim, the Plateau State government provided emergency relief materials to the displaced persons. Items distributed include mattresses, sleeping mats, bags of rice, beans, maize, blankets, soaps, noodles, and pasta, aimed at easing the immediate suffering of survivors.

Displaced Residents Call for Lasting Security Measures

While the relief efforts were welcomed, community members and displaced residents voiced strong appeals for long-term solutions, particularly the deployment of more security personnel to deter future attacks. Many have taken refuge in neighboring towns or makeshift camps, unsure of when—or if—they can return home safely.

Mr. Aradong, echoing the sentiments of many, appealed for federal government intervention and the presence of a permanent military or police outpost in the region. “We cannot continue living like this—under fear and without protection. We need lasting peace, not just temporary relief,” he pleaded.

As Plateau reels from yet another senseless massacre, the people of Bokkos are left to pick up the pieces and pray for a future free from violence, one where communities can thrive in peace and security.