The death toll from a deadly attack on Kawel village in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area has risen to 22, following a late-night raid by heavily armed gunmen that left residents reeling and renewed concerns over insecurity in Plateau State.

The attackers reportedly stormed the predominantly farming community around 11 p.m. on Sunday, opening fire on residents and moving from house to house in what survivors described as a coordinated assault.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen appeared to have prior knowledge of some residents, allegedly calling out names before forcing their way into homes and carrying out the killings.

The violence took a particularly grim turn when the assailants attacked a local medical facility after reportedly searching for a doctor in the community. Community sources said the gunmen tracked the physician to the clinic after failing to locate him at his residence.

Among those killed were the doctor, five patients receiving treatment, and several other residents. Local leaders said the attack left 22 people dead, including 17 men and five women.

One of the survivors was a heavily pregnant woman who had arrived at the clinic to deliver her baby. Residents said she escaped through a rear exit as gunfire erupted and later gave birth safely while in hiding. Her husband, however, was reportedly shot dead during the attack.

The attack also claimed the life of Reverend Markus Nyam of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), who was killed near his residence.

Community leaders said the massacre devastated several families, with at least three households reportedly losing both parents in a single night.

By Monday morning, hundreds of residents who had fled into nearby bushes and surrounding hills during the attack began returning to the village to recover bodies and assess the destruction.

The latest killings have sparked renewed outrage over recurring attacks in Bokkos and other parts of Plateau State, where communities have faced repeated episodes of violence linked to disputes over land, farming activities and other security challenges.

Residents and advocacy groups have called on security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and establish more permanent security outposts in vulnerable rural communities to prevent future attacks.

Security operatives have since been deployed to Kawel village and surrounding areas to restore calm and pursue the attackers. Authorities said investigations are ongoing, although no arrests had been announced as of Monday.

Community leaders urged the Federal Government and security agencies to take decisive action to protect rural settlements, warning that continued attacks could further deepen the humanitarian and security crisis in the region.

The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have plagued parts of Plateau State, highlighting the persistent security challenges confronting communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt.