The Mishkaham Bokkos, Jatau Yohanna Samkwar, has died after he was shot by suspected gunmen at his residence in Daffo, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The community leader was shot in the leg on October 13 and was rushed to a hospital in Mangu, where he died hours later.
Bulus Dabit, National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, confirmed the incident, saying the deceased was attacked at his residence.
“The Mwaghavul people again mourn the murder of Mishkaham Yohanna Jatau Samkwar, the Community Leader of Mwaghavul people in Bokkos LGA, who was attacked by unknown gunmen last night, 13th October 2026, at his residence at Daffo, in Bokkos LGA. He died at the cottage hospital, Mangu, following gun injuries he sustained from the attack,” Dabit said.
He recalled that the deceased’s son, Zuhumnan Nanle, was kidnapped on October 3, 2026, at Daffo and was released on October 12, 2026.
“His son was released on 12 October 2026. This release was followed immediately by an attack on the family during which the Mishkaham was shot on the evening of 13 October 2026. It is very clear that the recent attackers are the kidnappers,” Dabit added.
The Mwaghavul Development Association condemned the attack, describing it as an act of terror.
The association said it “warns the attackers of dire consequences and demands justice for the deceased by the immediate arrest and prosecution of the suspects by relevant security agencies and the judiciary respectively. We demand an immediate stoppage of the selective killing of our people.”
Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, Kefas Mallai, also confirmed the incident and expressed concern over the security situation in the area.
“They came to his house at night and shot him in the leg. He was rushed to a hospital in Daffo, but he was later referred to another hospital. Unfortunately, he died,” Mallai said.
He said the traditional ruler’s son had been kidnapped earlier and released on Sunday, before the attackers returned to the residence and shot his father.
Mallai lamented that repeated attacks and killings had become a major concern in Bokkos.
“The incidents are too many in Bokkos. Almost every day, somebody is killed or something happens. The situation is becoming normalised to the extent that people no longer report every incident because they have become used to hearing about killings,” he said.
“People are still moving about, markets are open and businesses are going on. People cannot stop running their businesses because of fear, even though the security situation remains a concern,” he added.
