Gunmen kill 15, including policeman, in fresh Plateau attacks

15 people, including a police officer, lost their lives on Thursday following two deadly assaults by armed men in Plateau State’s Bokkos Local Government Area.

According to local sources, one of the incidents occurred at around 4:00 p.m. as residents—mainly from the Chirang community—were heading back to Mangor village after visiting the Bokkos market.

Confirming the development late Thursday in Jos, Kefas Mallai, Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, said, “Yes, it is true. There was an attack on our people about 4:00 pm this evening.

“Fourteen natives were ambushed and killed by suspected terrorists while three others were injured on their way from Bokkos Market to Mangor Village of Bokkos LG.”

Mallai also noted that security forces had moved into the area in response to the incident to help protect residents.

He added that earlier the same day, a mobile police officer on duty at a checkpoint along Richa Road was shot dead.

“Our hearts are bleeding because early this morning, on 24th July, 2015, a MOPOL was killed at his duty post (checkpoint) along Richa road, Bokkos LGA. This is what happened in Bokkos today,” he said, calling the attacks “very unfortunate.”

Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Amalau Amalau, also confirmed the violence and described the situation as urgent.

“I’m driving. We have an emergency in Bokkos following attacks on our people.

“Right now, we are taking the victims to the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Let’s talk later, please,” Amalau said during a brief phone call with our correspondent.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as his phone was unreachable at the time of reporting.

However, police sources revealed that additional personnel had been deployed to the area in a bid to restore calm.

The attacks have drawn condemnation from community members, with renewed calls for the establishment of state police as a long-term security solution.

“Many state governments have been pleading with the Federal Government to allow them to have state police.

“I think the time has come for the Federal Government and the National Assembly to do something urgent in this regard, to stop further loss of lives in Plateau State and other parts of the country,” said Choji Bulus, a resident of Barkin Ladi.

(PUNCH)