Fresh violence in Plateau communities leaves three dead and several injured following separate ambushes.
Violence has once again struck Plateau State, leaving three people dead and multiple others injured in two separate security incidents across the Jos South and Bokkos local government areas during the weekend.
The coordinated assaults targeted a local neighbourhood watch duty post and a commercial vehicle transporting traders, sparking immediate concern among residents, local leaders, and security agencies across the region.
Authorities have since launched high-level investigations and deployed tactical teams to the affected zones, according to information published by The Sun Nigeria.
Vigilantes ambushed in Bokkos Local Government Area
The first violent encounter unfolded at approximately 11 pm on Sunday at Angwan Tsarki, a local settlement situated within the Mangor district of Bokkos Local Government Area, leaving the community in profound shock.
According to local resident Bitrus Simon, armed gunmen launched a sudden assault on a duty post operated by local neighbourhood watch personnel, opening heavy fire on the unsuspecting guards stationed at the location.
The nighttime ambush resulted in the immediate death of two vigilantes, while three other personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries during the gunfight, prompting urgent appeals for enhanced regional security.
Traders attacked returning from Kara Bukuru Livestock Market
In a separate incident on Sunday afternoon, gunmen intercepted a commercial vehicle carrying traders returning from the Kara Bukuru Livestock Market, turning a routine journey into a deadly roadside tragedy.
Police authorities confirmed that the ambush occurred at about 4:30 pm, resulting in the death of one trader identified as Musa Abubakar, alongside seven other passengers who sustained injuries.
The injured victims were swiftly transported to the Military Clinic located at Rukuba Barracks in Jos, where they received urgent medical attention under the supervision of state security commanders.
Plateau Police Command launches manhunt for perpetrators
Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Ayodeji Faniyan, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of investigations to take full charge of the case and ensure justice is served.
In an official statement released on Monday, Police Public Relations Officer SP Alfred Alabo strongly condemned the attacks, confirming the deployment of tactical and anti-robbery teams to the area.
The police command also intensified intelligence-gathering operations while urging local residents to maintain law and order and report any suspicious movements to relevant security formations.
MACBAN demands thorough security investigation
Reacting to the Bukuru market ambush, the Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria confirmed that the deceased victim, Musa Abubakar, was a Fulani herder.
MACBAN Chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo described the incident as deeply disturbing, noting that the victims were targeted while peacefully returning from their lawful commercial activities.
The association formally called on the Nigeria Police Force, Operation Safe Haven, and the Department of State Services to conduct a comprehensive probe and prevent further violence along the market route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the attacks occur in Plateau State?
The attacks took place in two separate locations, specifically at Mangor in Bokkos Local Government Area and along the route from the Kara Bukuru Livestock Market in Jos South Local Government Area.
How many casualties were reported in the Plateau State incidents?
A total of three people were killed, including two vigilantes in Bokkos and one trader in Jos South, while several others sustained injuries and received treatment at the Military Clinic in Rukuba Barracks.
What is MACBAN's reaction to the Kara Bukuru market attack?
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria condemned the incident as a disturbing attack on innocent herders, urging security agencies to investigate the matter and beef up route security.
