The recent Plateau state attack caused Michael Toma who happens to be a resident of Bokkos narrowly escaped the attack by what he described as the skin of his teeth.
He said the air was filled with the staccato of gunfire for over an hour as hundreds of armed men entered Kawel village. A reverend from the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), LCC Kopkon Kawel, Rev Markus Nyam, patients lying in hospital beds, and health workers on duty were all caught in the same hail of bullets.
By the time the gunmen fled, 22 people were killed and the rain that fell the following morning stopped the survivors from burying the dead.
What Happened in Kawel Village on the Night of June 21
On the night of June 21, the Kawel village was attacked by armed men which led to the Plateau state attack. The attack began around 11:00–11:40 p.m. on June 21 and continued into the early hours of June 22.
The attack was specifically centered on the village’s Primary Health Care Centre. The Gunmen which are suspected Fulani militants and herdsmen armed with AK-47 and other firearms began to shoot at the homes.
Health workers, patients and security personnel were shot and killed as the state police command, on Monday, confirmed that 20 people were killed in the attack.
The Clinic That Was Deliberately Targeted and Why It Crossed a New Line
A Red Cross official involved in the emergency response to the operation confirmed that the attackers stormed the community’s Primary Health Care Centre during the assault.
The official, who spoke said gunmen shot health workers and patients receiving treatment at the facility. According to the source, both civilians and security personnel were among those confirmed dead, while several others sustained gunshot and machete injuries.
The Bokkos Youth Leader, Christopher Luka, said “I visited the hospital and saw the situation myself. So far, 22 deaths have been recorded, including women. The victims are yet to be buried because of the rainfall experienced since morning. The victims included health workers serving at the hospital and some patients who were receiving treatment.”
Clinics in rural areas like Kawel provide critical and life-saving care in a region with limited healthcare access. Killing workers and patients cripples the entire community’s ability to survive daily challenges and emergencies.
Who Are the Attackers and What Is Driving the Violence in Plateau State
The residents of Kawel said the Plateau State attack began around 11 p.m. on June 21 when gunmen entered the community and began firing weapons identified by witnesses as AK-47 rifles and other firearms.
Local sources reported that 22 people were killed, including 17 men and five women. Community members identified the attackers as suspected Fulani militants. However, no group has claimed responsibility, and no arrests have been publicly announced as of late June 2026. This is because security forces engaged them in a gun battle before they fled.
Final Thoughts Regarding Plateau State Attack
The Bokkos Local Government attack is one of several deadly incidents reported in Plateau State attack in recent years. The area has witnessed repeated attacks on farming communities which has resulted to deaths, displacement, and destruction of property.
The attack comes less than a week after the killing of the District Head of Gwande in Bokkos LGA, Saf Samuel Alaket. He was reportedly attacked along the Sha District axis while returning from a traditional council meeting.
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