Five miners feared killed, two injured by gunmen in Plateau

At least five miners were feared killed and two others injured after gunmen reportedly ambushed them at a mining site in Plateau State.

The incident occurred at about 1pm on Saturday at Marit village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

Sources said the miners were carrying out their activities when they were attacked, throwing the community into mourning and raising fresh concerns over the safety of residents in the area.

Confirming the attack, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, Rwang Tengwong, said five people were killed while two others sustained injuries.

“It is a very sad and painful development. Our people are once again mourning the loss of lives to violence,” Tengwong said, while calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to protect communities and prevent a recurrence.

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Similarly, a community member, Simon Mundat, described the incident as devastating.

“We are deeply saddened by this attack. We appeal to authorities to strengthen security in the area so that our people can go about their legitimate activities without fear,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to get official confirmation from security agencies were unsuccessful.

In a related development, security operatives, in collaboration with local hunters, repelled an attack by suspected terrorists on Latok community in Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of the state.

A community member, Danat Noel, said the attackers invaded the community on Friday but were forced to retreat following a swift response by security personnel and local hunters.

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