Pastor, two residents killed as gunmen attack Plateau LGA

Three people have been killed in an attack by gunmen in Suwa and Ding’ak villages of Mushere Chiefdom, Bokkos LGA of Plateau state.

The victims were identified as Gideon Katings, pastor of COCIN in Suwa; Sunday Ringkang, and Meshach Bukata.

Confirming the incident, Kefas Mallai, chairman of the community peace observers in Bokkos, said the attack occurred between 1pm and 2pm on Friday.

The Punch quotes Mallai as saying that one Michael Kamshak and several others sustained injuries and were receiving treatment at Cottage Hospital, Bokkos.

Mallai added that hundreds of residents fled their homes following the attack.

“Between 1:00 hrs and 2:00 hrs today, Friday, August 8, 2025, Suwa and Ding’ak villages in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos LGA were attacked by terrorists, leading to the untimely death of three persons, including Pastor Gideon Katings of COCIN Suwa, Sunday Ringkang, and Meshach Bukata,” he said.

“Michael Kamshak and others were injured and are currently receiving treatment at Cottage Hospital, Bokkos. Several residents, in their hundreds, have been displaced.”

There has been a rise in gunmen attacks in the state in recent times.

Last month, at least 14 people were killed in an attack by suspected bandits near Chirang village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau.

Farmasum Fuddang, chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Forum (BCDF) Vanguard, said up to 100 people have been killed in the area within the last two years, including over 60 murdered on Christmas Eve in 2023.