A triple tragedy struck Plateau State on Sunday, as two persons were killed and five others injured in separate attacks on Toul and Halle communities in Mangu Local Government. The attacks occurred at about 9pm when gunmen stormed the villages simultaneously and opened fire on residents. According to Gabriel Titus, a resident of Toul, one person was killed and four others injured in the attack on Toul, while another person was killed and one sustained injuries in Halle.
The attacks on the two communities took place despite a dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed by the state. Residents were taken unawares as the gunmen stormed the communities and opened fire indiscriminately. Titus expressed concern that the killers were able to move around despite the curfew, calling for urgent measures to ensure strict enforcement of the curfew. He also appealed to the authorities to take immediate steps to protect residents of the affected communities.
A 35-year-old miner, identified as Ibrahim Jabir, died following the collapse of a mining pit in Asaradan village, Jos East LG. The pit reportedly collapsed at about 12:10am on Sunday, trapping the victim, who died on the spot. Peter Ajik, a resident of Jos East, confirmed the incident, saying it was another reminder of the dangers associated with illegal artisanal mining.
Ajik called for adequate measures to protect youths, who he said were particularly vulnerable to the hazards of the risky business. He emphasized that the tragedy highlighted the need for safety measures to be put in place to prevent such incidents. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of miners in the area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, could not be reached for comments as his phone was unavailable. The incident is a reminder of the security challenges facing Plateau State, where communities have been affected by attacks and other forms of violence.
The Plateau State government has been urged to take steps to address the security challenges facing the state. Residents have expressed concern about the frequency of attacks and the need for the government to take decisive action to protect them. The government has been called upon to provide support to the affected communities.
The incident has also raised concerns about the impact of illegal mining on communities in Plateau State. Residents have called for the government to take action to regulate the mining activities and ensure that safety measures are put in place to protect miners.
Key points
- Two killed, five injured in separate attacks on Plateau communities.
- A 35-year-old miner dies in a pit collapse in Jos East LG.
- Residents call for urgent measures to ensure strict enforcement of curfew and protection of affected communities.
