A tragic incident occurred on Saturday, September 27, 2026, at Marit village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Gunmen ambushed a group of miners at about 1 pm, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals and injuring two others. The miners were reportedly carrying out their legitimate activities when they were attacked. This incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns over the safety of residents in the area.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attack, stating that five people lost their lives and two others sustained injuries. Tengwong expressed sadness and pain over the development, noting that the community is once again mourning the loss of lives to violence. He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to protect communities and prevent such incidents from recurring.
A community member, Simon Mundat, described the incident as devastating, expressing deep sadness over the attack. Mundat appealed to authorities to strengthen security in the area, allowing residents to go about their legitimate activities without fear. The incident has sparked widespread concern, with many calling for increased security measures to prevent future attacks.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from security agencies were unsuccessful as of the time of reporting. However, the incident has been confirmed by community leaders and members. The lack of official response has raised questions about the effectiveness of security agencies in the area and their ability to respond to such incidents.
In a related development, security operatives and local hunters have repelled an attack by suspected terrorists on Latok community in Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State. The attackers invaded the community on Friday but were forced to retreat following a swift response by security personnel and local hunters. Community member, Mr Danat Noel, confirmed the incident, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the area.
The Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, was unavailable for comment, repeatedly ignoring calls and a WhatsApp message from Sunday PUNCH. Alabo terminated calls on three occasions after listening to questions about the killing of five miners in the state. The lack of official response has sparked concerns over the police's ability to address the security challenges in the area.
The incident has sparked widespread concern, with many calling for increased security measures to prevent future attacks. The community is appealing to authorities to take decisive action to protect residents and ensure their safety. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of current security measures and the need for a more robust response to address the security challenges in Plateau State.
Key points
- Five miners were killed and two others injured in the ambush.
- The incident has sparked concerns over community safety and the effectiveness of security agencies.
- Security operatives and local hunters have repelled a separate attack on Latok community.
