Suspected gunmen have killed at least 52 people in a series of coordinated attacks across Bokkos Local Government Area in central Nigeria’s Plateau State, local authorities confirmed Friday.

The violence, which began Wednesday night, also left several wounded as assailants raided villages, firing indiscriminately and torching homes.

Farmasum Fuddang, leader of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguard, reported a mass burial for 31 victims on Thursday, with additional bodies—five in Hurti village and 16 across other areas—discovered during searches of surrounding bushland. The motive remains unclear, though the region has a history of communal clashes and banditry.

Plateau State, situated between Nigeria’s Muslim-majority north and Christian-majority south, is a known flashpoint for ethnic and religious tensions. The state government condemned the “heinous” attacks, noting that suspects have been detained and security operations are underway.

The killings underscore Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, particularly in its northern and central regions, where armed groups frequently target rural communities. Local leaders are now urging stronger government action to curb the violence as residents brace for potential further attacks. (ILKHA)