Gunmen kill three, injure many others at mining site in Plateau

GUNMEN in parts of Plateau State have killed three persons and injured others at a mining site in Nyango in Gyel District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

An eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that the gunmen attacked the mining site at about 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, causing panic as miners and residents fled for safety.

He said the gunmen had been loitering in the area and suddenly descended on the site in their large numbers when the miners and other people engaging in menial activities at the site were deeply engrossed in their activities.

He claimed that three individuals were killed instantly and many others injured.

According to him, the gunmen, suspected to be Fulani terrorists, ransacked the scene and carted away many valuables before disappearing.

The source added that the casualty figure could have been higher but for the swift escape of several miners who fled the area when the gunmen opened fire on them.

Reacting to the incident, the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, BYM, expressed concern over the recurring insecurity in Gyel and surrounding communities.

In a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the association said the latest attack was not the first violent incident recorded in the area.

It noted that residents of Gyel and neighbouring communities in Bassa Local Government Area had repeatedly raised concerns over attacks and insecurity allegedly perpetrated by armed elements operating around the Gyero and Rafin Buna axis.

The association called on security agencies and government authorities to urgently dismantle criminal hideouts, take decisive action to end the cycle of violence and restore lasting peace and security across affected communities.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.