Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Three persons have been confirmed dead and two others injured following a brazen attack by suspected armed Fulani bandits on an illegal mining site in the Gyel District of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, has heightened tensions in the area and sparked a fresh wave of accusations and counter-accusations between local communities and the Fulani leadership.
The incident took place at about 11:50 a.m. at Nyango, a community in the Gyel District, when heavily armed gunmen stormed the site and opened fire on miners and residents who were engaged in their daily activities. An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the attackers had been loitering in the area before they descended on the site in large numbers. The assailants, suspected to be Fulani terrorists, ransacked the scene and carted away many valuables before fleeing. According to the source, the casualty figure could have been higher but for the swift escape of several miners who fled the area when the gunmen opened fire on them.
Security sources confirmed that troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), under Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), responded to a distress call and, in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), moved to the area. However, by the time they arrived, the attackers had already killed three local residents and injured two others before fleeing towards the Dutse Kura axis in neighbouring Bassa Local Government Area. Following the incident, troops carried out exploitation and clearance operations from Tsoho Gero to the Gero High Grounds in search of the fleeing assailants. During the operation, Fulani community leaders alleged that four Fulani men had also been killed in the violence. However, security personnel said no bodies were found to substantiate the claim. Tension later escalated at Gyel, where a group of aggrieved women blocked the troops' route and threw stones at security personnel, accusing them of failing to prevent the attack. The troops fired warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd and restore access before continuing the operation.
The Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) condemned the attack, accusing members of the Fulani community of launching the assault. In a statement, the association's National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, expressed concern over what he described as recurring insecurity in Gyel and surrounding communities. The group called on security agencies and government authorities to urgently dismantle criminal hideouts and take decisive actions to end the cycle of violence that has continued to threaten peaceful communities in the affected areas. "The association commiserates with the families of those who lost their lives, prays for the speedy recovery of the injured, and urges residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies in the interest of lasting peace and security on the Plateau," the group said.
However, the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Plateau State denied the allegation, describing it as false. The denial has further deepened the mistrust between the communities, raising fears of reprisal attacks and escalating tensions in the area. Residents of Gyel and neighbouring communities in Bassa Local Government Area had repeatedly raised concerns over attacks and insecurity allegedly perpetrated by armed elements operating around the Gyero and Rafin Buna axis. The latest attack is the second in the area in recent weeks. On June 16, 2026, suspected Fulani bandits killed at least five youths at a mining site in Gero village, also in Gyel District.
The attack on the Nyango mining site is part of a pattern of violence that has plagued Plateau State for years. The state has been a hotspot for violent conflicts between farming communities and herders, often exacerbated by disputes over land, resources, and ethnic tensions. The presence of illegal mining sites has added a new dimension to the insecurity, with armed groups frequently targeting miners and residents for extortion and violence. Security agencies have struggled to contain the violence, with attacks continuing despite ongoing military operations in the state. The Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, SP Alabo Alfred, had not responded to calls and WhatsApp messages from journalists as of the time of reporting.
The attack has been condemned by various stakeholders, including the Berom Youth Moulders Association, who called on the government to take decisive action to end the cycle of violence. "BYM calls on security agencies and government authorities to urgently dismantle criminal hideouts, and take decisive actions to end the cycle of violence that has continued to threaten peaceful communities in the affected areas," the group said.
As investigations continue, the community remains on edge, with many residents fearing further attacks. The government and security agencies have been urged to intensify efforts to protect lives and property and bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.
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