Gunmen Kill 52 in Nigeria: In a tragic resurgence of violence, gunmen kill 52 in Nigeria’s Plateau State after launching coordinated attacks on six villages in the Bokkos district.
The onslaught, which spanned several days, left scores injured and displaced nearly 2,000 people, according to a statement released by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
This attack marks the most deadly assault on the region since December 2023, when over 100 people were killed in a similar strike in Bokkos. The agency confirmed that 22 people were wounded and are currently receiving medical attention, while more than 1,820 residents have been rendered homeless.
Villages Left in Ruins and Families Devastated
The six villages attacked—Gada, Butura Kampani, Hurum, Ntvwel, Makera, and Bokkos town—now lie in ruins. Survivors describe a nightmarish scene of indiscriminate shooting, burning homes, and utter chaos. Many fled with only the clothes on their backs.
“Gunmen carried out brutal assaults, resulting in numerous fatalities and extensive property damage,” NEMA stated late Sunday. “The situation remains tense as security operations are ongoing in the affected areas.”
Authorities have since established three internally displaced persons (IDP) camps to provide temporary shelter to the victims. Aid workers report a dire need for food, water, medical supplies, and psychological support.
Tinubu Orders Manhunt for Perpetrators
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the attacks and vowed swift justice for the victims. In a strongly worded directive, Tinubu ordered security forces to “track down and bring to justice those responsible,” promising they would face “severe punishment.”
“Our hearts bleed for the innocent lives lost in Bokkos,” said Tinubu. “This level of savagery will not be tolerated in a civilized society. The full weight of the law will be brought down on these criminals.”
Despite heavy deployment of military and police units to Plateau in recent years, gunmen continue to exploit security lapses and strike vulnerable communities.
Ethno-Religious Tensions and Climate Pressures
Plateau State lies in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, a region historically marked by tension between Muslim herders and Christian farmers. Although often labeled as a religious conflict, experts argue the violence is rooted in competition for land and dwindling natural resources.
“Shrinking grazing lands due to desertification and population growth has intensified competition,” said Professor Chika Okechukwu, a conflict resolution expert at the University of Jos. “Climate change is a silent driver that’s fueling a deeper crisis.”
This ecological pressure is pushing herders to migrate further south in search of pasture, bringing them into frequent clashes with settled farming communities. Armed groups often exploit these tensions for political or economic gain, further destabilizing the region.
International Condemnation and Humanitarian Response
The international community has expressed concern over the violence. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) called for urgent humanitarian assistance and accountability for those behind the attacks.
“This is yet another tragic reminder of the insecurity that plagues many parts of Nigeria,” said a UNOCHA spokesperson. “Civilians must be protected, and perpetrators must not go unpunished.”
Meanwhile, humanitarian groups are racing against time to deliver aid to the displaced. Makeshift camps are already overcrowded, and the risk of disease outbreaks looms.
Security Challenges Undermine Peacebuilding Efforts
Despite repeated promises from the government to restore peace in the Middle Belt, attacks like this expose glaring weaknesses in Nigeria’s internal security strategy. Residents in affected communities say they had warned of unusual movements in the days leading up to the attacks but received no timely response from authorities.
Local vigilante groups, often the first line of defense, were overwhelmed during the attacks. Some community leaders are now calling for better intelligence-sharing and the arming of trusted civilian groups.
“Nobody listens until there’s blood on the ground,” said Reverend Samuel Yakubu, a Bokkos-based cleric. “We need community-driven security reforms and not just promises from Abuja.”
Call for Long-Term Solutions
Analysts argue that Nigeria must go beyond military responses to address the root causes of violence in Plateau and other conflict-prone regions. Solutions must include land reform, climate adaptation programs, youth employment, and reconciliation efforts between rival communities.
“If we do not tackle the drivers of this conflict, it will continue to repeat itself,” said Amina Yusuf, a researcher at the Centre for Peace and Security Studies in Abuja. “This is not just a security issue—it’s a development issue.”
As the nation mourns the lives lost in Bokkos, the spotlight remains on the Nigerian government and its security apparatus to prove they can deliver lasting peace to a region that has known too much bloodshed.
