Gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits attacked an illegal mining site in Plateau State on Tuesday, killing three persons and wounding two others.

The assault occurred around 11:50 a.m. at Nyango in Gyel District, Jos South Local Government Area.

Attackers stormed the site and opened fire on workers as miners and residents fled in panic.

An eyewitness, Chuwang Rogo, said the miners were caught off guard, with some inside the pits when the gunmen struck. “The attackers stormed the mining site and opened fire on miners indiscriminately,” Rogo said. He added that the casualty figure could have been higher but many miners fled immediately upon hearing gunshots.

Security sources said troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace, responded to a distress call and moved to the area alongside vigilante members. By the time troops arrived, the attackers had already killed three local residents and injured two others before escaping toward the Dutse Kura axis in neighbouring Bassa Local Government Area.

The deceased were identified as Chung Davou, Gyang Gwaha and Pam Chung.

The Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) condemned the attack. National Publicity Secretary Rwang Tengwong said the incident is not the first 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,” Tengwong said.

BYM accused Fulani community members of launching the attack. However, the Chairman of the Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Plateau denied the allegation, describing it as false.

Security sources said clearance operations are ongoing to track down the perpetrators and prevent further attacks. Efforts to reach Plateau State Police Command spokesperson SP Alfred Alabo for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.

“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,” Tengwong stated.