Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
At least seven people were killed in a deadly night-time attack on a mining site in the Kuru community of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, in central Nigeria, security and local sources confirmed on Thursday morning. The tragic incident highlights the persistent challenge of armed violence and rural insecurity that continues to plague parts of the state.
According to a statement issued by military authorities, the assault occurred at around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday when armed gunmen stormed the Capitex mining site, where a group of mostly young men were engaged in mining activities. The assailants opened fire indiscriminately, fatally shooting seven miners and leaving several others injured or missing, residents and local youth leaders said.
Troops from Sector 6 of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) were alerted to the attack later in the morning by a local resident and promptly mobilised to the scene to restore calm and conduct a security sweep of the area. Military personnel recovered several empty 7.62mm ammunition shells, indicating the use of high-powered firearms during the assault. The bodies of the victims were subsequently evacuated to the Primary Health Care Centre in Dabwak, Kuru, where they were documented before being handed over to families for burial arrangements.
Military sources noted that the victims were engaged in night-time and unauthorised mining activities, which are prohibited under Plateau State regulations. Preliminary findings suggest that the assailants may have targeted the site with the intent of stealing minerals or asserting control amid the absence of adequate security oversight. Authorities believe the delay of several hours in reporting the attack — from the time of the shooting to when troops were informed — stemmed from miners’ fear of penalties associated with illegal night mining.
Local civil society groups, including the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), have condemned the killings as a “brutal and senseless attack” on young people trying to earn a livelihood. The association identified the deceased victims by name and ages, describing them as peace-loving youths from the broader Berom community whose lives were cut short in an act of violence that has deepened fears across rural communities. BYM leaders demanded urgent action from security agencies to apprehend those responsible and provide justice for the families of the victims.
The attack adds to a pattern of violence in Plateau State’s rural mining areas, where gunmen have increasingly targeted artisanal miners, farmers and other vulnerable civilians. Just days before the Kuru incident, another group of miners was ambushed in the Gyel area of the same local government, resulting in at least two deaths and injuries to others, local authorities and witnesses reported. Such incidents underscore broader security challenges confronting the state, where sporadic raids and armed incursions have routinely disrupted community life and economic activity.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the latest killings, condemning the violence as an attack on innocent lives and a direct threat to peace efforts being pursued by his administration. In a statement, the governor reaffirmed his government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state, calling for enhanced intelligence-led operations and improved early-warning mechanisms to prevent future attacks.
Security officials have reiterated that troops continue to operate in and around Jos South and neighbouring communities, conducting patrols and engaging in community outreach to reassure residents. Authorities say ongoing efforts to track down and apprehend the assailants are underway, with an emphasis on gathering actionable intelligence and strengthening cooperation with local stakeholders.
The convergence of mineral resources, weak enforcement of regulations, and limited security presence in rural mining sites has created conditions that armed groups are able to exploit. Illegal mining, often driven by economic desperation, places miners at heightened risk, especially when operations continue after nightfall in violation of state bans. Analysts say this volatile mix underscores the urgency for integrated strategies that combine security reinforcement with economic alternatives for youths in underserved areas.
For families in Kuru and surrounding districts, the latest attack has brought profound grief and raised fresh concerns about personal safety. Residents have called on both state and federal authorities to prioritise the protection of rural communities and ensure that perpetrators of such deadly attacks are swiftly brought to justice.
As investigations continue and responses are deployed, the tragic loss of seven lives in Plateau’s Kuru community stands as a stark reminder of the volatility that persists in parts of Nigeria’s central region, where security gains remain fragile and communities live on high alert.
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