Plateau attack death toll reaches 22, clinic targeted

Residents reported that gunmen invaded the community on Sunday night, shooting and attacking residents. The state police command confirmed 20 deaths, stating the attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, June 21, 2026, at approximately 4:40 am. Police engaged the assailants, forcing them to retreat.

Eighteen people died at the scene, and two of three injured victims later died in the hospital. The Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah, has deployed additional tactical teams and personnel to the area to de-escalate tension and search for the perpetrators. A Red Cross official and the Bokkos Youth Leader, Christopher Luka, confirmed the attack on the community's primary healthcare center, where health workers and patients were killed.

The Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, Kefas Mallai, stated that security personnel arrived after the attackers had left and accused security agencies of inaction despite prior intelligence. The attack follows the killing of District Head Saf Samuel Alaket less than a week prior.