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At least five miners have been killed and two others injured after gunmen attacked a mining site in Marit village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred at about 1pm on Saturday amid heightened tension and renewed security concerns in parts of the state.
Spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attack and said five people were killed while two others sustained injuries.
Tengwong described the incident as a painful development, saying residents were once again mourning the loss of lives to violence.
He condemned the attack and urged security agencies to strengthen their presence in the affected communities to prevent further attacks.
A community member, Simon Mundat, also confirmed the casualties, describing the incident as devastating to residents.
Mundat appealed to the authorities to improve security in the area and ensure that residents could engage in their legitimate activities without fear.
Efforts to obtain comments from the spokesman of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycarp Oteh, and the Plateau State Police Command spokesman, SP Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as of press time.
The attack occurred days after the Plateau State Government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in three local government areas, including Barkin Ladi, following a series of attacks and killings.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, had on Friday condemned the recurring attacks in the affected communities and urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding.
Meanwhile, security operatives, working with local hunters, have reportedly repelled an attack by suspected terrorists on Latok community in Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area.
A resident, Danat Noel, said security personnel and the local hunters responded swiftly after the attackers arrived in the community.
According to him, the operatives engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat from the area.
