No fewer than 12 miners have been killed, with several others missing, following an attack by gunmen in the Faan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Berom Educational and Cultural Organization confirmed the incident in a statement issued to journalists on Wednesday, stating that the miners were attacked on Tuesday night while engaged in mining activities.
In the statement signed by the BECO Chairman, Dagallang Davott, who also serves as Secretary of the Mining Committee in Barkin Ladi, the attackers, suspected to be Fulani militias, reportedly stormed the mining site and opened fire on the workers.
Davott said the assault was unprovoked, noting that the miners were carrying out their lawful activities at the time of the attack.
“On Tuesday, December 16, there was an attack at the Fan district of Barkin Ladi local government area. It happened in the night. 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 have been confirmed killed,” Davott said.
“From the information we gathered, the attackers were Fulani people because survivors heard them speaking the language.
“Apart from those killed, many others were injured while others are still missing,” he said.
