Follow Us on Google
From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Four of the suspects who allegedly attacked a mining site in Nyango, Gyel in Jos South local government area of Plateau state on Monday, have been killed.
The miners were said to be extracting solid minerals at the site when they were attacked, leading to the death of three people while two otters sustained injuries.
National Publicity Secretary, Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, who disclosed this in a statement in Jos on Wednesday, said that local vigilante members had mobilised in response to the incident, leading to a confrontation during which four of the suspected attackers were neutralised while others reportedly fled.
Tengwong dismissed the claims by The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) that the quartet were its members who were killed around the Gero–Rafin Bauna axis of Jos South Local Government Area.
BYM insisted that contrary to the claims by MACBAN, local vigilante had actually confronted the gunmen after the Monday attack on the mining site.
The statement said, “The attention of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) under the leadership of Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri has been drawn to claims by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) alleging that four of its members were killed around the Gero–Rafin Bauna axis of Jos South Local Government Area.
“BYM considers this claim not only misleading but also an unfortunate attempt to distort the circumstances surrounding a violent attack that claimed innocent lives in the Nyango area of Gyel.
“Available information indicates that the four deceased persons were among a heavily armed group of more than forty attackers who invaded a mining site at Nyango in Gyel District on 29th June 2026, opening fire on local miners and resulting in the death of three innocent citizens while leaving two others with varying degrees of injuries.
“Faced with this unprovoked assault, local vigilante members from Gyel mobilised in defence of their communities and livelihoods. In the ensuing confrontation, four of the attackers were neutralised while the rest escaped from the scene.
“The attempt to portray those neutralised during the confrontation as harmless cattle breeders raises serious concerns and risks diverting attention from the real victims of the attack and the persistent insecurity facing indigenous communities in the area.
“BYM therefore poses a number of legitimate questions to the relevant authorities and the public: What were armed individuals doing in a mining community that is not known to be a grazing settlement? Why were they present in such numbers and under such circumstances? What was the mission that brought them to Nyango on that day?
BYM called on security agencies to carry out a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the Nyango attack and the identities and activities of those killed during the confrontation.
The statement also disclosed that two persons were killed when gunmen reportedly opened fire on residents of Zargwok community in Gashish District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
BYM said that the incident happened at about 9 30 p.m.on Tuesday.
Tengwong said that the two residents, Ayuba Danladi, aged 33, and Luka Macham, 35, were killed while on a patrol around the community.
Tengwong described the latest incident as of one of the many recurring attacks on communities in the area and called for urgent intervention by security agencies.
BYM said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the ECWA Clinic.
The group called on security agencies to establish the identities of those involved and conduct a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into both incidents.
“We call on authorities to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities, apprehend perpetrators and restore public confidence in the protection of lives and property,” the statement said.
Spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, couldn’t be reached on phone when our correspondent tried to contact him.
