The Plateau State government has confirmed the arrest of several suspects in connection with the deadly coordinated attacks that rocked five communities in Bokkos Local Government Area on April 2, 2025, which have now left at least 52 people dead.
According to reports from community leaders, the casualty figure increased sharply following the recovery of 40 additional bodies from surrounding bushes by search and rescue teams. The initial toll stood at 12, but locals and security officials have since uncovered more victims from the carnage that spanned Wednesday and Thursday night.
The affected communities—Mangor Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna (Tagai), Hurti, and Tadai—came under heavy attack from unidentified gunmen who reportedly stormed the villages at night, opening fire on unsuspecting residents and setting houses ablaze.
Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, Mr. Farmasum Fuddang, confirmed the scale of the massacre in a statement to Leadership Weekend on Friday. He said 31 of the victims were buried in a mass grave on Thursday, with several children among the dead.
“Five children were burnt to ashes in Hurti village. Eleven others were killed in Ruwi, four in Manguna, and one in Dafo,” Fuddang said. “It’s a tragedy too heavy to bear.”
Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Joyce Ramnap, issued an official statement from Jos, confirming that arrests had been made in connection with the attacks. While she did not disclose the number or identity of those apprehended, she assured that investigations are ongoing and justice will be served.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the attacks in Manguna, Josho, and Daffo communities, where lives were lost and homes razed,” Ramnap said. “The state government extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families.”
She affirmed that Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration is intensifying efforts to restore security and peace in the state. “Security forces have been deployed to dominate the affected areas and ensure normalcy returns swiftly. Important arrests have already been made and we are optimistic this will help stem further violence.”
Call for Restraint and Vigilance
The commissioner called on residents to remain calm, avoid retaliatory actions, and support law enforcement agencies in their investigations. “We urge citizens to report any suspicious activity and cooperate fully with the authorities. Vigilance and lawful engagement are critical at this time,” she added.
Ramnap also disclosed that the state government has activated advanced intelligence-gathering systems, enhanced surveillance operations, and rapid response strategies in partnership with security agencies.
Additionally, the government has appealed to religious, traditional, and community leaders to foster peace and unity and help prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Communities in Mourning
Meanwhile, fear and grief have gripped Bokkos LGA as families continue to search for missing loved ones. Local vigilante groups and volunteers have joined search parties combing nearby forests for survivors or the remains of those still unaccounted for.
Residents, many of whom have fled their homes, are calling on both state and federal authorities for swift intervention and justice. “We have been abandoned for too long. These attacks happen too frequently, and we feel unprotected,” a local youth leader in Daffo said.
The attacks have added to growing concerns over recurring violence in Plateau and other parts of the Middle Belt, often triggered by ethno-religious tensions and land disputes.
As the state mourns its dead, all eyes are now on security forces and the Plateau State judiciary to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly and transparently.
