Terrorists have killed three women, leaving another person injured, during an attack at a mining site in the Rakum community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Monday.
The terrorists reportedly stormed the mining site around 4:30pm and opened fire on workers before fleeing the scene.
The spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, who confirmed the incident to the press in Jos on Monday, said three women were killed while another person sustained injuries.
Tengwong said, “The incident happened at Rakum. Three women were killed while another person was injured when the attackers stormed the mining site and opened fire.
“This is another sad development that has further heightened concerns over the safety of people working and living in the area. We are calling on the security operatives to immediately go after the perpetrators and ensure that those responsible are arrested and brought to justice.”
A community member, John Silas, who also confirmed the terrorists’ attack, said the attack occurred around 4pm.
Silas said, “The attackers came to the mining site and opened fire on the people there. Three women were killed and another person was injured.
“We are deeply worried because people should be able to go about their legitimate businesses without being attacked. We are appealing to the security operatives to intensify efforts to track down the attackers and prevent further attacks in the community.”
This most recent incident occurs as deadly attacks have been on the rise again throughout Plateau State in recent weeks, especially in the Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Bokkos local government areas, even with a curfew put in place by the state government.
Reports indicate that six people were killed on Saturday in Laja village, Mangu, and a number of vigilantes were also killed while on duty in Kikyo village, Mangu, during the curfew hours.
Reports of attacks have also emerged in Cantoma and Bin-Per villages in Mangu, along with Kasa village in the Marit District of Barkin Ladi, raising tensions among the communities affected.
These incidents have drawn condemnation from the four branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Plateau State.
As of the time this report was filed, security agencies had not yet released any statement regarding Monday’s attack on the mining site.
Efforts to reach the spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful, as he was not immediately available for comment and calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.
