Gunmen kill traditional ruler in Plateau

Friday, October 16, 2026 - Gunmen have shot and unalived the Mishkaham Bokkos, Da Jatau Yohanna Samkwar, at his residence in Daffo, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Samkwar, the traditional ruler was reportedly attacked on Monday night, October 12, 2026 and shot in the leg before being rushed to a hospital in Daffo for treatment.

He was later referred to another medical facility but reportedly passed on Wednesday, October 14, according to a community leader.

Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos Local Government Area, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the incident to journalists, expressed concern over the prevailing security situation in the area.

“They came to his house at night and shot him in the leg. He was rushed to a hospital in Daffo, but he was later referred to another hospital. Unfortunately, he passed away,” Mallai said. 

He disclosed that the traditional ruler’s son had allegedly been kidnapped earlier but was released on Sunday, before the attackers reportedly returned to the residence and shot his father.

He lamented that repeated attacks and unaliving had become a source of concern in Bokkos, adding that residents continued with their daily activities despite the prevailing security challenges.

“The incidents are too many in Bokkos. Almost every day, somebody is unalived or something happens. The situation is becoming normalised to the extent that people no longer report every incident because they have become used to hearing about unaliving,” he said. 

"People are still moving about, markets are open and businesses are going on. People cannot stop running their businesses because of fear, even though the security situation remains a concern.”

The community leader also disclosed that three people were reportedly attacked while travelling on a motorcycle along a road linking communities in the area, with two of them allegedly unalived and one injured.

According to him, the incident occurred in broad daylight, raising concerns about the safety of residents travelling between communities in Bokkos.

Mallai said some community members relied on security information before travelling, adding that residents were sometimes advised to avoid certain routes when intelligence indicated possible danger.