At least five miners were killed and two others injured when gunmen attacked a mining site in Marit village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Saturday, local sources say.
This attack happened amid rising tension in the state. Soldiers also rescued a district head who was reportedly attacked by youths in Jos East Local Government Area after a resident was killed at an illegal mining site.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), confirmed the Marit attack. “Five persons were killed while two others sustained injuries in the attack,” Mr Tengwong said. He called it a painful situation for communities that have faced violence many times.
He urged security agencies to increase their presence in affected areas to stop more attacks. A local resident, Simon Mundat, also confirmed the deaths and asked the authorities to improve security in the area.
As of now, the police and the Nigerian Army had not responded to requests for confirmation of the Marit attack.
In another incident, soldiers rescued Musa Usman, the district head of Fursum in Jos East Local Government Area. He was attacked by youths at his home in Ninseng community.
According to security sources from the counter-insurgency publication, Zagazola Makama, this attack occurred around 1:45 p.m. on Friday. The youths reportedly accused Mr Usman of supporting Fulani residents.
Mr Usman sustained injuries and was taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for treatment. His vehicle was also set on fire during the attack.
This incident followed the killing of a resident at an illegal mining site in Nabar Dutse community. Troops from Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, responded after getting a distress call. They brought the situation under control and secured the area to prevent more violence and revenge attacks.
These two incidents come as Plateau continues to face renewed attacks and community tensions in various parts of the state.
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