No fewer than 14 passengers, including women and babies, have been killed on the evening of Thursday, 24 July, 2025 in a fresh wave of violence in Plateau State, reports Business Today NG.
It was gathered that victims were ambushed along the Chirang Road in the Mangor District of Bokkos Local Government Area while returning from the weekly market held in Bokkos town.
According to reports, the attackers—believed to be armed assailants—opened fire on a vehicle carrying market-goers, leaving several dead at the scene. The attack follows closely on the heels of a similar tragedy last month when wedding guests from Kaduna State were killed by a mob in the same region.
Confirming the latest incident, the Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF), through its chairman Farmasum Fuddang, condemned the attack and expressed frustration over what it described as a breakdown of peace efforts between farming and herding communities.
“The victims were returning from the weekly market in Bokkos town when their vehicle was ambushed. Victims included women and babies. This violence occurs despite various so-called peace and reconciliation efforts,” Fuddang stated.
BCDF chairman further alleged that the attackers were members of a particular ethnic group, claiming the motive behind the violence was territorial expansion.
“Their goal is to take control of the entire local government area, which is recognised as the potato headquarters of Nigeria,” he said, just as he also cited ongoing village attacks and land takeovers in the Mushere area as part of what he described as a broader campaign by the suspected group to dominate the region.
Responding to the claims, the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN) rejected the accusation. Its chairman, Saleh Adamu, dismissed the claims as unfounded.
“The allegation has no basis because there is no evidence that the attack was carried out by the Fulani. And no herder was arrested at the scene to prove it was carried out by Fulani. This allegation is the first of its kind here,” Adamu said, just as he also called for restraint and urged security agencies to investigate thoroughly.
“When an incident occurs, security forces do investigate before identifying the perpetrators. We condemn the attack in its totality, as the killing of innocent people is not in any way justified by any offense. We condemn the killings,” he added.
