Gunmen Kill 7 Local Miners In Plateau Community

Seven local miners were confirmed killed in Kuru community of Jos South local government area of Plateau State on Thursday morning.

According to sources from the community, the victims were working at a mining site when gunmen stormed the location and started shooting sporadically.

The Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), under the leadership of its National President, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, confirmed the sad incident to newsmen in a statement

The statement signed by BYM National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, said the dastardly act constituted a gross violation of the sanctity of human life and represented a direct assault on the peace, security, and collective dignity of the Berom people.

According to him, the victims were peace-loving youths engaged in legitimate means of livelihood when their lives were cruelly and unjustly terminated.

“The persistence and pattern of these coordinated attacks point to an alarming deterioration of security within Berom land and underscore the urgent need for firm and sustained intervention.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray that God Almighty grants comfort, strength, and fortitude to the families in this moment of immeasurable grief, and that the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace,” the group stated.

BYM also called on the Plateau State Government, the Federal Government, and security agencies to immediately and thoroughly investigate the attacks, identify, apprehend, and prosecute the perpetrators and their sponsors, and reinforce security presence around vulnerable rural communities, mining locations, and access routes in Plateau State.

It further stated that the continued slaughter of innocent youths must not be allowed to persist and urged the authorities to intensify intelligence gathering, deploy adequate and well-equipped security personnel, and adopt proactive, community-based security measures to forestall further loss of lives.

“The protection of the lives and livelihoods of Berom youths is non-negotiable. BYM stands in firm solidarity with the affected families and communities and reiterates its unwavering commitment to justice, peace, accountability, and the defense of the lives and dignity of the Berom people,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Plateau State Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, wass yet to respond to the inquiry by our correspondent regarding the incident as at press time.