At least 12 miners were reportedly killed when unknown gunmen stormed a mining site in Ratoso Fan District of Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State.
The incident, according to residents, occurred Tuesday night when the attackers stormed the site while the victims were engaged in mining activities and opened fire on them.
However, the Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation (BECO) said many other persons were still missing following the attack by the gunmen.
BECO chairman, Mining Committee in Barkin Ladi LGA, Dallang Davott, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, said the gunmen attacked the miners while they were engaging in mining activity on Tuesday night.
Dallang said; “the number of those missing are yet to be ascertained because the incident happened in the night.”
According to him, the gunmen stormed the mining site and opened fire on the miners. “So, many of them fled for their lives during the incident. But 12 persons so far confirmed killed.”
A resident of the community, Moses Daniel, also confirmed the attack, expressing his distress.
“Yes, it happened. 12 people were killed last night at a mining site in Ratoso Fan community, my hometown,” Daniel said.
Daniel asserted that the attack has raised concerns about security in the area. He added that the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army has been informed about the incident.
At the time of this report, the police hadn’t issued any statement.