Fresh Night Attacks in Mangu, Bokkos LGAs Leave 19 Dead, Scores Displaced Plateau State, Nigeria — June 20, 2025
Tragedy struck again in Plateau State on the night of Thursday, June 19, as coordinated attacks by yet-to-be-identified gunmen ravaged several communities in Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas (LGAs), leaving no fewer than 19 people dead and displacing scores of residents.
According to local sources and early reports from community leaders and security personnel, the assaults occurred under the cover of darkness, catching residents unprepared. The attackers reportedly stormed villages simultaneously, setting homes ablaze, firing sporadically, and causing panic across the affected areas.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the gunmen arrived in large numbers and moved with tactical precision. Many residents, mostly women and children, fled into nearby bushes for safety as the violence escalated. By Friday morning, several bodies were recovered while others remained unaccounted for, raising fears that the death toll could rise.
Local government officials and community leaders have described the attacks as “unprovoked and barbaric,” calling on the state and federal governments to intervene swiftly to prevent further bloodshed.
In a brief statement, a representative of the Plateau State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that tactical units had been deployed to the affected areas to restore calm and begin investigations.
“So far, we can confirm 19 fatalities from multiple locations in Mangu and Bokkos LGAs. Security operatives are on the ground, and displaced persons are being assisted,” the spokesperson said, assuring residents of ongoing efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.
The Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also disclosed that humanitarian support is being mobilized for the displaced families, many of whom are now sheltering in schools, churches, and temporary camps.
This latest attack adds to a growing list of violent incidents that have plagued the central Nigerian state in recent months, underscoring the fragile security situation in the region. Human rights groups and civil society organizations have repeatedly urged the government to take stronger steps to address what they describe as “systemic insecurity” and “recurring targeted violence.”
Community leaders are appealing for calm and urging residents to remain vigilant, even as they mourn their losses. Meanwhile, calls for a comprehensive investigation and the deployment of more security forces to rural communities continue to mount.
As of the time of filing this report, tension remains high in the affected areas, and many residents are yet to return to their homes.