Gunmen attacked Mbwelle village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Thursday night, killing at least eight people.
Most of the victims were members of the same family, according to local reports.
The victims have been identified as Elder Iliya Mangut Dakus, Mr Luck Titus Dakus, Mr Habila Istifanu Dakus, Mr Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Mrs Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus and Mr Innocent Barnabas Makwin.
While confirming the unfortunate incident in Jos on Friday, the Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, Kefas Mallai, said the attackers struck at about 11pm, shooting indiscriminately at residents.
He said aside from those killed, about three people sustained injuries, while several others were yet to be accounted for.
Mallai said: “There was an attack last night at Mbwelle village. The village is very close to Bokkos town. So far eight persons have been confirmed dead this morning.
“The people are saying they want to protest because the security men have not protected them and the attack lasted for hours and yet, no presence of security to repel the assailants until those people finished and left. No trace.”
He added: “The attack lasted for several hours with no visible security presence to repel the attackers.”
Mallai further alleged that despite the closeness of security formations, there was no response, claiming that operatives were instead deployed to guard a community suspected by Bokkos natives to be linked to the attackers.
Also speaking, the Youth Leader of Bokkos, Christopher Luka, described the incident as tragic and devastating.
“The gunmen came around 11pm and started shooting sporadically. They targeted one family mostly. We have eight confirmed dead, some seriously injured, and others still unaccounted for,” Luka said.
