By Attah Ede
The death toll from Sunday night’s attack on Kawel community in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, has increased to 22 following recovery of more corpses.
The latest information indicated that health workers, patients and security personnel were among those killed.
Local said armed attackers stormed the community late Sunday night at 11:30pm, opening fire on residents and causing widespread panic.
A Red Cross official involved in emergency response operations disclosed that the assailants also attacked the community’s Primary Health Care Centre during the assault.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said health workers on duty and some patients receiving treatment at the facility were among the victims.
According to the source, those killed included civilians and security personnel, while several others sustained gunshot wounds and machete injuries.
The official added that survivors had been evacuated to medical facilities for treatment and stabilisation.
Providing an update on the incident, Bokkos Youth Leader, Christopher Luka, said the casualty figure had increased following further assessments.
“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”, Luka said.
The latest attack happened less than a week after the killing of the District Head of Gwande, Saf Samuel Alaket, who was attacked along the Sha District axis bordering the Daffo community while returning from a traditional council meeting.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to get official confirmation from the Plateau State Police Command and Operation Safe Haven proved abortive as they couldn’t respond to text messages.
