Mutfwang condemns fresh terror attack on Plateau mining community

 

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has condemned the killing of seven miners by suspected terrorists in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of the state.

The attack, which occurred on Wednesday night, left several others injured and has heightened concerns over the rising insecurity around mining communities in the state.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the governor described the assault as barbaric and senseless, coming at a time when his administration is intensifying efforts to entrench sustainable peace across Plateau.

Mutfwang also denounced what he described as coordinated attacks on Kuru, Gyel and Buhum communities in Chugwi village of Vwang District, reaffirming his government’s commitment to protecting lives and property in all parts of the state.

The governor lamented the loss of innocent lives, stressing that acts of terror would not weaken the resolve of his administration to confront banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities head-on.

He commended security agencies for their resilience and dedication, urging them to scale up intelligence-driven operations to ensure the swift arrest and prosecution of those behind the attacks.

Mutfwang further directed security personnel to work closely with host communities to identify and neutralise emerging threats, while assuring families of the victims of the government’s support.

He also charged operatives of Operation Rainbow to strengthen intelligence gathering and early-warning mechanisms to enable timely security responses.

Confirming the incident, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Artisanal Mining, Emmanuel Solomon, told The Nation that seven persons were killed during the attack in Kuru.

Solomon described the development as unfortunate, noting that it was part of a disturbing pattern of attacks targeting miners in Jos South.

He recalled that gunmen recently ambushed miners in Gyel community, killing two persons, while another attack two weeks earlier claimed the lives of two miners and left one injured.

According to him, the injured victim is currently receiving treatment at Lome Hospital.

Solomon added that one of the deceased in the earlier attack was his younger brother, lamenting what he described as the senseless killing of innocent citizens.

He said the situation requires urgent intervention, assuring that the state government would look into measures to provide adequate security for miners.

Efforts to obtain comments from security agencies were unsuccessful. The Jos South Area Commander of the Nigerian Forest Security Service, Pam Gyang Pwajok, said he was not immediately aware of the incident but promised to make enquiries.

Similarly, the Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached as his phone line was switched off.

The latest attack has renewed calls for enhanced security around mining sites in Plateau State, particularly in Jos South Local Government Area.