By Golok Nanmwa
Three persons were killed while two others sustained injuries after gunmen attacked a mining site at Nyango in Gyel District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources said the incident occurred around 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, causing panic as miners and residents fled for safety.
A resident of the community, Chuwang Rogo, said the attackers stormed the mining site and opened fire on miners.
Rogo said three people lost their lives in the attack while two others sustained injuries.
He added that the casualty figure could have been higher but for the swift escape of several miners who fled the area when the gunmen opened fire.
Reacting to the incident, the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, BYM, expressed concern over the recurring insecurity in Gyel and surrounding communities.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the association said the latest attack was not the first violent incident recorded in the area.
The group noted that residents of Gyel and neighbouring communities in Bassa Local Government Area had repeatedly raised concerns over attacks and insecurity allegedly perpetrated by armed elements operating around the Gyero and Rafin Buna axis.
According to BYM, the recurring attacks have resulted in loss of lives, displacement of residents and disruption of economic activities.
The association called on security agencies and government authorities to urgently dismantle criminal hideouts, take decisive action to end the cycle of violence and restore lasting peace and security across affected communities.
BYM commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
