By Palang Paul
At least twelve miners were killed on Tuesday 16 December night when Fulani assailants attacked a mining camp in Fan district of Barkin Ladi Local Government area, Plateau State Nigeria, despite prior security warnings of impending violence in the area.
The attack occurred around 11 p.m. at a mining site near Atoso village in Nding community, approximately 30 miles south of Jos. Survivors said the attackers, who were heavily armed, stormed the camp under the cover of darkness and opened fire for more than 30 minutes.
Several people sustained injuries, while at least three others were reportedly missing, raising fears of possible abductions.
Local leaders said security agencies had received intelligence reports warning of planned attacks in the area days before the incident.
According to community sources, soldiers stationed a few kilometres away did not arrive at the scene until about eight hours after the attack.
Solomon Dalyop, President of the Berom Youth Movement, condemned the delayed response and described the victims as innocent young men trying to earn a living through mining.
“They were not criminals. They were mining to support their families and contribute to the economy,” Dalyop said, expressing frustration over recurring attacks in the region.
Choji Jak Dung, a youth leader in Fann district, confirmed that residents had earlier repelled an attempted attack in the same area days before, but the assailants later returned, disguising themselves as miners.
Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government, Stephen Gyang Pwajok, described the situation as alarming, noting that attacks in nearby communities have become increasingly frequent.
“These attacks keep repeating. The security agencies are trying, but the situation is getting out of control,” he said.
State Assembly member representing Barkin Ladi, Dickson Chollom, also criticised the failure to act on advance intelligence, calling for decisive military operations against armed groups operating in the area.
“This is terrorism, not communal clashes,” Chollom said. “There is no farming or herding at night when these attacks occur. We need proactive action, not reactions after lives have been lost.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigerian Army nor the police had issued an official statement on the incident.
The latest killings add to growing concerns over insecurity in Plateau State and Nigeria’s Middle Belt, particularly during the festive season.
Their bodies were buried today 19th December 2025 in a mass grave in Fan bringing together different clergies sympathizers and community leaders.
Post Comment