Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Five miners have been feared killed and two others injured after gunmen ambushed them at a mining site in Plateau State. The incident occurred at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Marit village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state, according to Punch and Daily Post.
The victims were reportedly carrying out legitimate mining activities when the gunmen struck, leaving five people dead and two others injured. The attack threw the community into mourning and heightened concerns over the safety of residents and miners operating in the area.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attack. "Five persons were killed while two others sustained injuries," he said, describing the incident as a sad and painful development. "Our people are 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.
A community member, Simon Mundat, also confirmed the deaths and appealed to the authorities to improve security in the area. "We are deeply saddened by this attack. Five people have been killed and two others injured," he said. "This is a very painful situation for the community. We appeal to the authorities to strengthen security in the area so that our people can go about their legitimate activities without fear."
The attack came barely days after another mining-related tragedy in Plateau State. On September 23, 2026, Phillip Luka, 25, and Sunday John, 34, were killed at a mining site in Kworos Gangare, Barkin Ladi. The same day, farmlands in Jol, Riyom, and other areas were destroyed, and two other people were killed at Nghar, Exland. On September 24, three community members were killed at Gassa, also in Barkin Ladi. In a separate incident, four suspected illegal miners died following the collapse of a sand excavation pit in Tangur community, Bokkos LGA.
The Marit attack also came amid renewed tension in other parts of Plateau State. Troops rescued Musa Usman, the District Head of Fursum in Jos East Local Government Area, after youths reportedly attacked his residence in Ninseng community on Friday. The youths allegedly accused Usman of supporting Fulani residents. He sustained injuries and was evacuated to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment, while his vehicle was set ablaze. Troops from Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, intervened after receiving a distress call and brought the situation under control. Security operatives, supported by local hunters, also repelled an attack by suspected terrorists on Latok community in Qua'an-Pan Local Government Area on Friday, forcing the attackers to withdraw in disarray.
As of the time of filing the report, efforts to get official confirmation from security agencies were unsuccessful. The Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, terminated calls on three occasions after listening to questions about the killing of the five miners, and ignored subsequent calls and a WhatsApp message on the matter. The police and the Nigerian Army had yet to respond to requests for confirmation of the Marit attack.
The recurring attacks have drawn fresh attention to the risks confronting people engaged in mining and other mineral-related activities across Plateau State. The Berom Youth Moulders-Association has consistently called for stronger security measures, but the killings have continued, leaving communities to bury their dead and wonder whether anyone will ever be held accountable. For the families of the five miners killed in Marit, the grief is compounded by the knowledge that their loved ones died doing legitimate work, in a state that has promised them protection but has failed to deliver it.
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