Seven Killed in Deadly Night Attack on Illegal Mining Site in Plateau

By Tgnews Reporter

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At least seven people were killed in the early hours of Thursday when suspected armed bandits launched a brutal assault on an illegal mining site in the Capitex area of Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The Nigerian Army, through troops of Sector 6 under Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), confirmed the incident, stating that the attack occurred around 1:00 a.m. The assailants reportedly stormed the site with the intent of seizing illegally mined minerals, opening fire on the miners who were working late into the night.

A senior military source disclosed that troops were alerted to the tragedy at approximately 8:40 a.m. by a concerned local resident and swiftly deployed to the scene to restore order and secure the area. During a thorough sweep, security personnel recovered 10 empty cases of 7.62mm special ammunition, believed to have been used by the attackers.

“The troops discovered that seven illegal miners had been shot dead by suspected bandits,” the source said. The bodies of the victims were evacuated to the Primary Health Care Centre in Dabwak, Kuru, for documentation and subsequent burial arrangements by their families.

Preliminary findings revealed that the victims were engaged in illegal mining activities and had violated the Plateau State Government’s strict ban on night mining and unauthorized operations.

Authorities noted that the approximately eight-hour delay in reporting the incident stemmed from the victims’ and witnesses’ fear of sanctions related to the prohibited nighttime activities.

“Victims were illegal miners who stayed at the site late into the night, contrary to the extant ban on night and illegal mining activities in Plateau State,” the military source emphasized.

The attack adds to ongoing security challenges in the region, where illegal mining has been linked to criminal elements, environmental degradation, and violent clashes.

Recent reports from civil society groups and youth associations, including the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), have condemned similar incidents and called for stronger security measures, highlighting the vulnerability of local youths drawn into the hazardous trade amid economic hardships.

Operation Safe Haven assured residents that intensified efforts are underway to apprehend the perpetrators. “Troops have continued sustained, intelligence-driven operations to identify, track, and apprehend those responsible, while non-kinetic engagements are being intensified to de-escalate tensions and prevent further attacks,” the source added.

Security forces have maintained a robust presence in the affected area to prevent any escalation, forestall breakdowns in law and order, and reassure communities of their safety.

The incident has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of mining regulations and enhanced protection for vulnerable rural communities in Plateau State, where banditry, resource conflicts, and illegal operations continue to claim lives. Authorities have urged residents to report suspicious activities promptly and cooperate with ongoing security operations.