Miners shot dead in Plateau

At least five miners were killed and two others injured after gunmen attacked them in Marit village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday. The attack took place amid rising tensions in certain parts of the state. Rwang Tengwong, a spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), confirmed the incident, which occurred around 1 pm.

He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, emphasizing that the community is mourning the victims. Tengwong condemned the attack and urged security agencies to take immediate action to safeguard the communities and prevent further violence. Another local community member, Simon Mundat, also confirmed the tragedy, stating the devastation caused by the incident.

Mundat appealed to authorities to enhance security measures to ensure residents can carry out their daily activities without fear. Despite their inquiries, Captain Polycarp Oteh and SP Alabo Alfred from Operation Enduring Peace and State Police Command did not provide any comments at the time of reporting. The state government had earlier imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in three local government areas, including Barkin Ladi, to reinstate law and order following a series of attacks and killings.

In a statement, the state government's information commissioner, Joyce Ramnap, condemned the ongoing violence and appealed for residents to maintain calm and abide by the law. In another development, security forces, working alongside local hunters, thwarted an assault by suspected terrorists on the Latok community in Qua'an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Mr. Danat Noel, a local resident, informed our correspondent that security operatives, backed by hunters, swiftly countered the attackers, forcing them to flee the scene in disarray.