Plateau attack death toll rises to 22; health workers, security personnel among victims

The death toll from a brutal attack on Kawel village in Plateau State, Nigeria, has climbed to 22. Among the victims are health workers, patients, and security personnel, underscoring the severity of the violence that struck the community late Sunday night.

Residents reported that armed attackers stormed the village, firing indiscriminately and spreading panic. The assault extended to the community's Primary Health Care Centre, where health workers on duty and patients undergoing treatment were targeted. An official involved in the emergency response, speaking anonymously, confirmed that civilians and security personnel were killed, while others sustained serious gunshot and machete wounds.

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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.

Survivors have been evacuated to medical facilities for treatment. Christopher Luka, the Youth Leader for Bokkos Local Government Area, provided an update, stating that the casualty figure rose to 22 after further assessments. He noted that the burial of the victims has been delayed due to persistent rainfall.

The attack occurred just days after the killing of Saf Samuel Alaket, the District Head of Gwande, who was ambushed while returning from a meeting. As of the report's filing, official confirmation from the Plateau State Police Command and Operation Safe Haven remained elusive.

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The victims included health workers serving at the hospital and some patients who were receiving treatment.