Gunmen Kill Five in Plateau Mining Site Attack as Security Crisis Deepens

(Suspected Gunmen. Photo Credit: Genocide Watch)

At least five youths were k!lled and several others sustained injuries after gunmen suspected to be herders stormed a local mining site in Gero village, Gyel District, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Tuesday, June 16.

The att@ck, which occurred at about 3 p.m., happened just hours after armed men invaded the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, located roughly five kilometres away, where three security operatives were k!lled.

A resident of Gero community, Festus Dalyop, confirmed the incident, explaining that the victims were carrying out mining activities when the att@ckers arrived on motorcycles and opened fire, k!lling five on the spot while leaving others with varying degrees of injuries.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth-Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the development, condemning both the att@ck on NIPSS and the k!lling of the miners, which he said pointed to worsening security threats within and around the area.

He noted that the att@cks reflected deteriorating insecurity in neighbouring communities and raised concerns about the safety of residents as well as strategic national institutions located there.

Tengwong, while voicing concern for the safety of participants at the institute and residents of the wider community, called for urgent action from security agencies to forestall further att@cks and restore public confidence in affected areas.

He reiterated calls on government authorities to strengthen security surveillance and ensure the protection of lives and property.

The state Police spokesman, SP Alfred Alabo, who confirmed the incident as well, said investigations have commenced and a manhunt has been launched for those responsible for the act.