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Less than 72 hours after three miners were killed in the Gangare area of Barkin Ladi, another five miners were killed and two others injured when gunmen ambushed them while they were mining at Marit village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident, which happened at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, has thrown the community into mourning.
National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, BYM, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident in a statement.
Tengwong said the victims were ambushed at Marit, adding that five persons lost their lives while two others sustained injuries.
BYM also expressed concern over renewed killings and destruction of farmlands in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
Tengwong described the victims as not mere statistics, but sons, husbands, fathers, brothers and community leaders whose deaths have left families grieving and communities living in fear.
He said that within two days, at least seven people were killed, while more than 20 hectares of farmland were reportedly destroyed.
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He said: “On September 23, 2026, Phillip Luka, 25, and Sunday John, 34, were killed at a mining site in Kworos Gangare, Barkin Ladi. The same day, farmlands in Jol, Riyom, Exland, Gashish, Rapwomol and Dorowa Babuje were destroyed, threatening the livelihoods and food security of affected families.”
“On September 24, two people were killed at Nghar, Exland in Gashish District, while three others were killed at Gassa, Barkin Ladi. They were identified as Ishaya Pam Dung, 47, a married father of two and community youth leader; Barnabas Gyang Jack, 23, married with one child; and Manasseh Luka Mushwer, 26.”
“BYM is alarmed that these attacks continue despite the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew imposed in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu. This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of existing security measures.”
“We therefore demand immediate and decisive action from the security agencies. Beyond responding after attacks occur, authorities must use credible intelligence to identify, search and dismantle criminal hideouts and operational enclaves, including areas around Fass, Mahanga, the Fulani settlement at Bangai, Lugere and other locations identified through intelligence.”
“The destruction of farmlands must equally be treated as a serious threat to food security. Government should urgently assess the affected farms and provide meaningful support to families who have lost their crops and sources of income.”
BYM further called on the National Assembly, National Human Rights Commission, humanitarian agencies and international organisations to closely monitor the security and humanitarian situation in Plateau and support efforts to protect civilians, restore livelihoods and ensure accountability.
