Protest as gunmen kill six Plateau miners

Gunmen on Tuesday killed six miners in Turu community, Jos South Local Government Areas of  Plateau State.

The killing of the miners was coming less than two days after gunmen killed about seven persons in two separate attacks that occurred in Wereng and Heipang communities of Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas.

The Tuesday night killing of the miners sparked protests by youths in the communities, leading to the blockage of the Jos-Abuja Highway.

The situation caused a heavy gridlock, leaving commuters stranded and movement of goods distrupted.

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It was learnt that the situation also affected the circulation of some major newspapers, including The PUNCH and ThisDay, as a vendor told our correspondent that he had yet to receive his consignment as of 8.30pm on Wednesday.

The  vendor, who identified himself simply as Solo, lamented that, “Up till now, we have not received our consignment from some of the major newspapers in Jos, including The PUNCH and ThisDay. This is almost 9pm, as I’m talking to you.

“We learnt that the vehicles conveying the newspapers from Abuja were blocked on the way by some youths and women who were protesting the killing of their kinsmen by suspected herders in Jos South LG.

Also, the lawmaker representing Jos South and Jos East federal constituency in the National Assembly,Dachung Bagos, decried the latest killing in a statement on Wednesday

In the statement signed by his aide, Danja Dafwam, the lawmaker called on the government to come to the aid of his constituents and stop further attacks on the communities.

The statement said, “The member representing Jos South/Jos East in the House of Representatives, Abuja,  Dachung  Bagos, is disheartened about renewed attacks on communities in Plateau State by suspected herdsmen.

“Bagos described as sad the attack , which happened on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 8pm  where six people were killed at a mining spot in Farinlamba Turu, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State

“The lawmaker, who is also the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Anti-corruption, is disturbed about the attacks and expressed sadness that the attackers were said to be heading to Farinlamba where the population of people is high, saying is very unfortunate for the miners who became victims before reaching their target

“He wonders how criminals  beat security agents, perpetrate these heinous acts and vanish into thin air without resistance.”

The lawmaker gave the identities of the slain miners as Ishaya David, 25; Paul Adamu, 23;  Bitrus Mancha, 43; Davou Boyi, 40; Joseph John, 39;  and Timothy Peter, 35.

He called on the security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, come to the aid of his constituents.

Meanwhile,  Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, on Wednesday, led other security agents, including men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, to the affected community.

In a statement issued after the visit, the spokesman for the police command, DSP Alfred Alabo, reiterated the commitment of the command to protecting the lives and property of the residents.

The statement said, “The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, today (Wednesday), paid a visit to the Farin Lamba community, together with the Commandant, NSCDC, to extend his condolences over the recent killings in the community and assured the community that the command has put in place all necessary modalities to ensure that the perpetrators of this ungodly acts are brought to book.

“He further asked the people to exercise patience, avoid taking the law into their hands, open the road and allow the free flow of traffic, as the state government and the command are doing everything within their power to see to it that justice prevails.”