The death toll from recent attacks by gunmen in several communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State has now risen to 52.
The Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguard, Farmasum Fuddang, confirmed the tragic update to journalists in Jos on Friday. The increase in fatalities followed the discovery of 40 more bodies on Wednesday and Thursday night, as search and rescue teams continued their efforts to locate missing persons.
Fuddang reported that on Thursday, 31 victims were given a mass burial, while five children were burned to death in Hurti village. In addition, 11 people were killed in Ruwi village, four in Manguna, and one in Dafo village.
According to reports, gunmen attacked several Bokkos communities—including Mangor Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna (Tagai), Hurti, and Tadai—on the night of April 2nd, 2025, opening fire on unsuspecting civilians.
In response, the Plateau State government announced that some suspects had been arrested in connection with the killings in these five communities.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Joyce Ramnap, condemned the violent attacks in a statement released to the press. “The Plateau State Government condemns the brutal assaults carried out in the early hours of April 2nd, 2025, in Manguno, Josho, and Daffo communities within the Bokkos Local Government Area, which resulted in the destruction of homes and the loss of lives,” the statement read.
Ramnap extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice. “Governor Caleb Mutfwang and his administration remain fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Plateau State,” she stated.
The statement also highlighted that security agencies have been deployed to the affected areas to restore order. “Security forces are actively operating in these areas to ensure that normalcy is restored as soon as possible,” Ramnap added. “Several significant arrests have already been made, and this will aid in addressing the violence.”
The commissioner urged the public to remain calm and refrain from taking matters into their own hands. She also called on residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security agencies.
“The cooperation of citizens with law enforcement is crucial to identifying and apprehending those responsible for these heinous crimes,” Ramnap said. “The Mutfwang administration has implemented enhanced measures for intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response, in partnership with security forces.”
Finally, Ramnap urged religious, traditional, and community leaders to promote messages of peace, unity, and lawful engagement. “The Plateau State Government is resolute in its commitment to law and order and will continue to pursue justice for those who seek to destabilize our communities,” she concluded. Residents were encouraged to remain law-abiding, support security efforts, and utilize official channels for any security concerns.