A peaceful community in Plateau State was thrown into mourning after a deadly overnight attack left more than 20 residents dead, scores injured, and a serving police officer missing.
The horrifying incident occurred on Sunday night in Kawel Village, located in the Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area, where heavily armed attackers reportedly descended on the community while residents were asleep.
According to reports from conflict journalist Masara Kim, over 100 suspected Fulani militias invaded the village around 10:30 p.m., unleashing terror on unsuspecting families. Witnesses claimed the attackers arrived with sophisticated weapons and quickly overwhelmed local youths who had been helping to secure the community.
Residents said the gunmen moved from one house to another, opening fire on sleeping victims and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Several villagers were reportedly butchered in their homes, while others attempting to flee into nearby bushes were shot and left wounded.
The tragedy has sparked outrage among locals, especially after claims emerged that security agencies had earlier been alerted about suspicious movements around the village but allegedly failed to act.
A community member, Adams Ayuba, revealed that villagers had noticed groups of suspected attackers gathering around the outskirts of the community days before the assault and promptly informed security authorities. However, according to him, no additional security personnel were deployed despite the warning signs.
Ayuba also disclosed that a young police officer from the community who reportedly tried to resist the attackers has been missing since the invasion. His whereabouts remain unknown, raising fears that he may have been killed or abducted during the chaos.
As grieving families struggle to come to terms with the tragedy, heartbreaking stories continue to emerge from survivors. One resident, Patience Ibrahim, revealed that four members of her family were wiped out in a single house during the attack, describing the incident as a devastating nightmare that has left the community shattered.
The latest bloodshed adds to growing concerns over recurring attacks in parts of Plateau State, with residents demanding stronger security measures and accountability over intelligence warnings that allegedly went unheeded.
At the time of filing this report, neither the Plateau State Police Command nor the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), had issued an official statement regarding the deadly assault.
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