The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed that 20 people were killed following an attack by armed assailants on Kawel Community in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Alfred Alabo, the attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, June 21, 2026, at about 4:40 a.m. when a group of armed hoodlums invaded the community.
According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer of Bokkos Division to mobilize personnel to the scene. Police operatives, working alongside the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and other security agencies, engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat.
The Command disclosed that 18 persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while three injured victims were rushed to hospital for treatment. Two of the injured later died, bringing the total death toll to 20.
The remains of the victims have since been released to their families for burial after relatives declined autopsies.
Reacting to the incident, CP Bassey Ewah expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and the people of Bokkos Local Government Area, describing the attack as tragic and unfortunate.
He assured residents that the Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, is committed to apprehending those responsible and bringing them to justice.
As part of efforts to restore normalcy and prevent further attacks, the Commissioner of Police directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and the Area Commander, Pankshin, to relocate to the affected community to coordinate security operations.
Additional tactical teams and personnel of the Police Mobile Force have also been deployed to the area to strengthen security, de-escalate tensions, and launch an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators.
The Police Command called on residents to remain calm, continue their lawful activities, and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in maintaining peace and security across the state.