One Miner K!lled, Another !njured As Bandits Att∆ck Illegal Mining Site In Plateau, Clash With Troops
One Miner Killed, Another Injured As Bandits Attack Illegal Mining Site In Plateau, Clash With Troops
According to security sources, the incident occurred around 9:00 p.m. on March 24 when suspected bandits stormed the mining location, allegedly attempting to cart away tin already extracted by local miners.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have reportedly foiled a late-night attack by suspected bandits on an illegal mining site in Rim Village, Plateau State, leaving one miner dead and another seriously injured.
According to security sources, the incident occurred around 9:00 p.m. on March 24 when suspected bandits stormed the mining location, allegedly attempting to cart away tin already extracted by local miners.
Sources disclosed that troops under Sector 6 of OPEP swiftly mobilised to the scene following distress calls, engaging the attackers in a gun duel that forced them to retreat into nearby bushes, according to a security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama.
A source reportedly said that in the course of securing the area, the body of one of the miners, identified as Hanya Alamba, was recovered at the site.
According to the source, another victim, identified as Mr. Gyang, who sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, was immediately evacuated to General Hospital, Riyom, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Following the operation, troops reportedly took control of the area, maintaining a strong presence while intensifying patrols to forestall any further incursions by the criminal elements.
The motive behind the attack is believed to be linked to the increasing scramble for control of mineral resources in parts of Plateau State, where illegal mining activities have continued to thrive despite repeated government crackdowns.
In recent months, several communities across Plateau and neighbouring states have witnessed a surge in violent incidents tied to illegal mining operations, with armed groups targeting mining sites to steal valuable minerals or impose control over the trade.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported similar attacks in parts of Barkin Ladi and Jos South Local Government Areas, where gunmen raided mining sites, killed workers, and made away with minerals.
In some cases, local vigilantes and security operatives were also targeted, underscoring the growing insecurity surrounding artisanal mining hubs.
Security analysts have warned that the proliferation of illegal mining camps, often operating outside regulatory oversight, has created fertile ground for criminal networks, including bandits and armed militias, to exploit.
Analysts have also noted that the absence of adequate monitoring and enforcement has allowed such sites to become flashpoints for violence, with disputes over mineral ownership frequently escalating into deadly confrontations.
Despite ongoing military operations such as OPEP, residents in affected communities have continued to express concerns over their safety, calling on the federal and state governments to implement stricter controls and provide sustained security presence in vulnerable areas.
