Governor Condemns Deadly Attack on Plateau Mining Camp

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has strongly condemned a deadly night-time attack on a mining camp in the Kuru community of Jos South Local Government Area, which left seven people dead and several others injured.

In a statement released through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the Governor described the Wednesday night assault as “barbaric, senseless, and most unfortunate.” He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, vowing that such acts of terror would not deter the government’s resolve to confront banditry and criminality.

Governor Mutfwang commended state security agencies and urged them to intensify intelligence-led operations to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly apprehended and prosecuted. He specifically directed personnel of Operation Rainbow to enhance early-warning systems for quicker response to threats.

A Pattern of Violence Against Miners

Confirmation of the casualty figures came from Emmanuel Solomon, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Artisanal Mining, who called the situation “rather unfortunate.” He revealed this attack is part of a disturbing series of assaults targeting miners in the area.

Solomon disclosed that just a day before the Kuru incident, gunmen ambushed and killed two people in Gyel community. Furthermore, he shared a personal tragedy, stating that his own younger brother was among two miners killed in another ambush two weeks prior.

“The injured person is currently at Lome Hospital receiving treatment… It’s unfortunate that some people are just moving about killing innocent people in the state,” Solomon said, emphasizing the urgent need for security intervention for miners.

Security Response Pending

Attempts to get official security comments were unsuccessful. The Jos South Area Commander of the Nigerian Forest Security Service stated he was not immediately aware and would follow up, while the Plateau State Police Command spokesman could not be reached.

The latest violence underscores growing security concerns for artisanal mining communities in Plateau State, highlighting calls for enhanced protective measures to prevent further loss of life.