Tragedy struck on Thursday, July 24, 2025, when gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits ambushed a vehicle returning from the popular Bokkos market in Plateau State, killing 14 passengers, including women and babies.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke to BenriNews, the victims were returning home after conducting their businesses at the weekly market when they were attacked along Chirang Road in Mangor District of Bokkos Local Government Area.
One eyewitness, who requested anonymity for security reasons, revealed that the heavily armed men blocked the road as the vehicle approached and opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths and leaving many others injured.
Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF), Farmasum Fuddang, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, expressing shock that such violence could occur despite numerous peace and reconciliation meetings between farming and herding communities in the area.
"The victims were returning from the weekly market in Bokkos town when their vehicle was ambushed. Victims included women and little babies," Fuddang stated. "This violence occurs despite various so-called peace and reconciliation efforts."
The BCDF chairman directly accused Fulani militias of carrying out the attack, asserting that their ultimate goal is to take control of the entire local government area, which is recognized as the potato headquarters of Nigeria.
This latest attack adds to the growing security concerns in Plateau State, which has witnessed recurring violence in recent years despite government efforts to restore peace in the region.
The incident comes amid reports of other security challenges in the state, including the recent killing of a police inspector during special duty and ongoing military operations against bandits in various parts of the region.
As of the time of this report, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement regarding the attack or measures being taken to apprehend the perpetrators.
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