Seven miners were reportedly killed and three others injured when gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias attacked a mining site in Wang community, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday night while the victims were engaged in mining activities. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers stormed the site and opened fire indiscriminately on the miners.
A youth leader in the community, Christopher Luka, confirmed the attack to journalists on Monday. He expressed regret that the victims had ignored repeated warnings from security agencies and community leaders about the dangers of night-time mining in the area.
“This unfortunate incident could have been avoided,” Luka said. “Security agencies and the Agro Rangers had issued several warnings for people to stay away from the site, especially at night, due to ongoing threats. But some individuals chose to ignore the warnings and continued to sneak into the site after dark.”
Luka added that the incident highlights the need for greater cooperation between residents and security agencies to avoid further loss of life.
Two survivors of the attack, Shanono Usman Adam and Maren Moses, recounted how the gunmen invaded the site without warning and opened fire, causing panic and fatalities among the miners.
“The attackers came while we were working and started shooting. It was terrifying,” one of the survivors said.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the mortuary of Bokkos General Hospital, while those injured are receiving treatment.
As of the time of filing this report, security forces have not officially commented on the incident, but local sources say patrols have been intensified in the area to forestall further attacks.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Plateau State, where tensions between farming and herding communities have frequently erupted into deadly clashes.
About the Author
