Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias attacked a mining site in Rakum community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing at least three women and injuring several others. The attack occurred at about 4:30 pm on Monday. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers stormed the mining site and opened fire on workers.
A survivor of the attack, John Sabo, narrated the incident to journalists, saying the assailants were identified as Fulani men who came to the mining site from nearby rocks and bushes. They opened fire on people who were looking for their daily bread. Sabo expressed worry that people should be able to go about their legitimate businesses without being attacked.
Sabo appealed to security operatives to intensify efforts to track down the attackers and prevent further attacks in the community. The attack has heightened concerns over the safety of people working and living in the area. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the curfew imposed by the state government.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident. He said the attack was another sad development that had further heightened concerns over the safety of people working and living in the area. Tengwong noted that the perpetrators of violence in Plateau State were not willing to sheath their swords and allow peace to return.
Tengwong said three women were killed, while another person was injured when the attackers stormed the mining site and opened fire. He called on security operatives to immediately go after the perpetrators and ensure that those responsible are arrested and brought to justice. The latest violence is coming amid a resurgence of deadly attacks across the state in recent weeks.
The resurgence of deadly attacks has been reported in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos Local Government Areas, despite a curfew imposed by the state government. The Plateau State government has been struggling to contain the violence, which has resulted in the loss of many lives and displacement of communities.
The attack on the mining site has further highlighted the need for the government to take decisive action to address the security challenges in the state. The government has been urged to work with security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.
Key points
- The attack on the mining site resulted in the killing of three women and injury of several others.
- The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of people working and living in the area.
- The Plateau State government has been struggling to contain the violence, which has resulted in the loss of many lives and displacement of communities.
