The death toll from the recent wave of violence in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State has reached 52, local officials have confirmed.
This rise comes after the discovery of 40 more bodies between Wednesday and Thursday night, as emergency teams intensified their search for those still unaccounted for in nearby forests.
MCC reported yesterday, that gunmen attacked five communities in the Bokkos Loc government, killing villagers, especially women and children.
Farmasum Fuddang, who leads the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, told the media that 31 victims were buried in a mass funeral on Thursday.
He also disclosed that five children, killed and burnt beyond recognition, were among the victims in Hurti village.
Additional fatalities included 11 people in Ruwi, four in Manguna, and one in Daffo.
The BCDC stated that a number of individuals remain missing, particularly in Hurti and Mbar villages, as search and recovery operations continue.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Plateau State Government denounced the attacks and appealed for calm across affected communities.
In a statement released on Friday, Commissioner for Information and Communication Joyce Ramnap described the incident as a serious setback to recent security gains in the region.
She noted that security personnel have been deployed to the affected areas to restore order, adding that multiple arrests have already been made.
Ramnap expressed optimism that these arrests could lead to a reduction in the violence.
She urged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding, emphasizing that the state is working closely with security agencies to boost intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response initiatives.
The state government also called on community, religious, and traditional leaders to promote messages of unity, peace, and lawful behaviour.
It reaffirmed its commitment to upholding justice and ensuring those responsible for the violence are brought to book.
This incident adds to growing insecurity in the state, where an estimated 200 people were killed in December 2023 during an attack on a predominantly Christian community during Christmas celebrations.
A separate attack in May last year left around 40 people dead and numerous homes destroyed in Wase.