At least eight people, including a pastor, have been killed in fresh attacks on communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The killings, reportedly carried out by suspected herders, began late Sunday night, May 25, 2025, and continued into Monday.
Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, Kefas Mallai, confirmed the attacks in a statement made in Jos on Tuesday.
He said, “The attack started around 10pm on Sunday night. Pastor Mimang Lekyil of COCIN LCC, Kwakas-Mushere, was killed inside his house. His wife was also shot in the leg. She is now receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.”
Kefas explained that the situation worsened the next day when angry youths from the community allegedly set fire to Fulani-owned structures in the same area. He said security agents later came in to calm the situation.
However, later that night, on Monday around 9pm, the attackers struck again—this time in Mbor community, also in Mushere district—where they reportedly killed seven more people.
Kefas said, “Yesterday afternoon, native youths who were angry about the killing of the pastor set fire to Fulani buildings in Kwakas. Security operatives came to stop the violence. But by 9pm, herders’ militia attacked again in Mbor and killed seven natives. Before security men arrived, the damage had been done.”
He also revealed that many women and children from Kopmur and nearby areas have started fleeing for safety due to fear of more attacks.
“I called the DPO but his number didn’t go through. I then spoke with the DCO who told me security officers had already been sent to the area,” Kefas added.
He confirmed that Pastor Lekyil’s body had been taken to Luna Hospital mortuary in Bokkos.
When contacted, the spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, said the situation was now under control. He added that the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, had deployed more officers to maintain peace in the affected communities.
