Suspected gunmen have attacked a mining site in Marit village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, killing about five miners and injuring two others.
The attack, which took place on Saturday, has heightened concerns over the safety of residents and workers in parts of the state.
The victims were said to be carrying out mining activities when the gunmen struck, leaving five people dead and two others injured.
The incident came barely days after another mining-related tragedy in Plateau State, where four suspected illegal miners died following the collapse of a sand excavation pit in Tangur community, Bokkos LGA.
The two incidents, which occurred under different circumstances, have drawn fresh attention to the risks confronting people engaged in mining and other mineral-related activities across the state.
The spokesman of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attack, saying, “Five persons were killed while two others sustained injuries.”
He described the development as sad and painful, saying the community was once again mourning the loss of lives to violence.
Tengwong condemned the attack and called on security agencies to urgently strengthen measures aimed at protecting communities and preventing further attacks.