Gov Mutfwang appeals for calm, says suspects arrested
By Didimoko A. Didimoko
The quiet night of April 2nd turned deadly for residents of several communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State when armed men launched coordinated assaults, leaving at least 52 people dead. As families continue to search for loved ones, the full scale of the devastation is only beginning to emerge.
Local leaders, including Farmasum Fuddang of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguard, confirmed that search teams have recovered over 40 additional bodies in recent days, bringing the previously reported death toll to a staggering 52. Victims were found across multiple villages—31 were buried in a mass grave, five children reportedly burned to ashes in Hurti, 11 others killed in Ruwi, four in Manguna, and one in Dafo.
The attacks, which hit Mangor Tamiso, Daffo, Hurti, Manguna (Tagai), and Tadai, were carried out under cover of darkness, leaving residents unprepared and defenseless. Eyewitnesses say the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately, forcing survivors to flee into the surrounding bush.
In the wake of the violence, the Plateau State Government has launched a response, confirming arrests linked to the killings. Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joyce Ramnap, described the events as a “wave of brutal and senseless violence” and said security personnel have been deployed to restore calm in the affected areas.
“The government expresses deep sympathy to the families grieving their losses and assures the public that justice will be pursued. Arrests have already been made, and investigations are underway,” Ramnap stated in a press release.
She added that Governor Caleb Mutfwang has directed security agencies to maintain a visible presence in the affected communities and has rolled out enhanced intelligence and rapid-response strategies. Citizens, she urged, must stay vigilant and report suspicious activity rather than resort to retaliation.
The statement also called on religious, traditional, and community leaders to strengthen efforts toward peace and reconciliation. “We cannot allow those who thrive on division to win,” Ramnap emphasized.
As the region mourns and tensions simmer, authorities are urging restraint and reaffirming their commitment to law, order, and long-term security. For now, residents of Bokkos are left to pick up the pieces and count their dead—again.
