Gunmen have killed seven people in a renewed attack on a mining site in the Kuru community of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State.
The attack occurred on Wednesday night and left several others injured.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Artisanal Mining, Emmanuel Solomon, told PUNCH Online that he had received reports of the killings and was on his way to the community to assess the situation.
“I have just been informed about the attack in Kuru community which happened last night. Seven people died in the attack. I’m heading to the area to see things for myself,” he said.
Solomon described the incident as unfortunate, noting that it was part of a series of recent attacks targeting miners in the area. He recalled that a few days earlier, gunmen attacked miners in Gyel community, killing two people, while another narrowly escaped.
According to him, the victims were ambushed and killed while on their way to a mining site.
He also recalled a similar attack two weeks ago in which two miners were killed and one injured. Solomon disclosed that the injured miner is currently receiving treatment at Lome Hospital, adding that one of those killed in the earlier attack was his younger brother.
“It is painful that people are being killed indiscriminately in the state,” he said, stressing the need for urgent intervention.
He assured that the Plateau State Government would investigate the attacks and take steps to improve security for miners.
Meanwhile, the Jos South Area Commander of the Nigerian Forest Security Service, Pam Gyang Pwajok, said he was not yet aware of the incident but promised to make inquiries. Attempts to contact the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.
The latest attack has further raised concerns over the safety of artisanal miners in Plateau State, with residents calling for stronger security measures in Jos South and neighbouring communities.
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