Gunmen kill 12 at Plateau mining site

A tragic incident has occurred in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, where 12 people were killed on Tuesday night by suspected Fulani militia.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at a mining site in the Ratoso fan community of the council area.

Residents said the attackers stormed the site while the victims were engaged in mining activities and opened fire on them.

The Chairman of Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation and Secretary of Mining Committee in Barkin Ladi,  Dagallang Davott, who confirmed the incident to The PUNCH in Jos on Wednesday, said many other persons are missing following the attack by gunmen.

Dallang said, “The number of those missing is yet to be ascertained because the incident happened in the night. “

The BECO chairman, who condemned the incident, explained, “There was an attack at Fan yesterday. It happened in the night, but I cannot give you the exact time.

“The gunmen stormed the mining site and opened fire on the miners. So, many of them fled for their lives during the incident. But 12 persons so far have been confirmed killed.”

A resident of the community, Moses Daniel, also confirmed the attack, expressing his distress.

“Yes, it happened. 12 people were killed last night at a mining site in Ratoso Fan community, my hometown,” Daniel said.

Daniel asserted that the attack has raised concerns about security in the area.

He added that the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army has been informed about the incident.

When contacted, the spokesman for the division, Aliyu Danja, said, “Thanks for the update. Will check and revert back.”

Our correspondent reports that the attack is the latest in a series of incidents in Plateau State, highlighting the need for increased security measures to protect citizens.

A few days ago, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, made high-profile visits to service chiefs in Abuja, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening security collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces, to ensure the safety of rural communities in Plateau State and the wider North-Central region, particularly as the Yuletide season approaches.

The latest of such visits took the governor to the office of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Before then and in less than one week, the governor also met with the newly appointed Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), in his office in Abuja to discuss renewed strategies for tackling insecurity in the state.