By Faith Chondol
Atleast three persons have been killed and two others injured after gunmen attacked a mining site in Nyango community of Gyel District, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack occurred at about 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday when the assailants stormed the mining site and opened fire indiscriminately, triggering panic among miners and residents who fled in different directions to escape the gunfire.
The incident has heightened concerns over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Plateau State, particularly in communities around Gyel and neighbouring areas.
Confirming the attack, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, described the incident as another tragic reminder of the persistent insecurity facing residents of the area.
In a statement, Tengwong lamented that the latest assault was not an isolated incident, noting that Gyel community and surrounding settlements had suffered repeated attacks over the years.
According to the association, residents of Gyel and neighbouring communities in Bassa Local Government Area have consistently raised alarm over the activities of armed elements allegedly operating around the Gyero and Rafin Buna axis.
The group stated that the recurring attacks have continued to claim lives, displace residents from their homes and disrupt economic activities, including mining and farming, which serve as major sources of livelihood for many families in the affected communities.
A resident of the area, Chuwang Rogo, who witnessed the attack, said the miners were caught completely off guard as some of them were working inside mining pits when the gunmen struck.
“The miners were taken by surprise. Some people were already inside the mine pits when the shooting started,” he said.
Rogo added that the death toll could have been significantly higher if some miners and residents had not reacted quickly by fleeing the scene immediately after hearing the first gunshots.
Following the attack, the Berom Youth Moulders-Association called on security agencies and government authorities to urgently intensify operations in the area, dismantle criminal hideouts and bring those responsible to justice.
The association urged authorities to take decisive steps to end the cycle of violence and restore lasting peace and security across Gyel and other affected communities in Plateau State.
BYM also commiserated with the families of those killed in the attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured victims.
The group further appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely information that could help prevent future attacks.
Tuesday’s incident adds to the growing list of violent attacks that have continued to plague several communities across Plateau State, raising fresh concerns about the safety of residents and the effectiveness of ongoing security efforts in the region.
Post Comment