Plateau mining communities living in fear of terrorists

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File: Governor Mutfwang in an armoured vehicle during a condolence visit.

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By Golok Nanmwa, JOS

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Plateau State has long been regarded as one of Nigeria’s richest solid mineral belts. From tin and columbite and other precious minerals, the state has attracted thousands of artisanal and commercial miners in search of economic opportunities.

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But beneath the promise of mineral wealth lies a growing security crisis.

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Across several mining communities, armed attacks have become increasingly frequent, turning mining sites into dangerous flashpoints where miners risk their lives in pursuit of their livelihoods.

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The latest incident occurred at Nyango, Gyel District in Jos South Local Government Area on Monday, when gunmen stormed a mining site and opened fire on miners, killing three persons and injuring two others.

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Residents said the attackers struck at about 11:50 a.m., sending miners scrambling for safety.

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A community member, Mr. Chuwang Rogo, told Saturday Vanguard that the casualty figure could have been much higher but for the swift escape of several miners who fled immediately the gunmen opened fire.

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According to him, the attack has further heightened fear among residents who depend on mining as their primary source of livelihood.

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The Nyango incident is only one in a series of violent attacks that have plagued mining communities in Plateau in recent months.

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It could be recalled that in Mid-June 2026 gunmen attacked a mining site in Gero Village, of Gyel and killed 5 miners at a site.

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Also in January 2026 (Kuru community, Jos South) Seven miners were shot dead at a mining site.

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Victims had reportedly ignored a ban on night-time mining.

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A miner, Mancha Amos, told our correspondent that armed groups have repeatedly targeted mining locations, forcing many miners to abandon productive sites while leaving host communities vulnerable to criminal activities.

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He added that the gunmen also cart away minerals already extracted by the miners.

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Beyond the immediate loss of lives, the attacks have disrupted economic activities, discouraged legitimate mining operations and deepened concerns over the safety of workers in the state’s mining sector.

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Communities Living in Fear

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Residents of mining communities say insecurity has become part of daily life.

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Many miners now work under constant fear of attack, while others have reduced their activities or abandoned mining altogether because of the worsening security situation.

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Another miner, Jesse Rwang, said criminal gangs were taking advantage of remote mining locations, inadequate security presence and illegal mining activities to terrorise innocent citizens.

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Security Agencies Intensify Operations

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Military authorities say sustained operations are underway to dismantle criminal camps operating around vulnerable communities.

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Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have, in recent weeks, neutralised several suspected terrorists during clearance operations in parts of Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos Local Government Areas.

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Security forces have also recovered locally fabricated rifles, ammunition and other weapons while intensifying intelligence gathering around criminal hideouts.

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Operation Enduring Peace, in a statement signed by its Media Information Officer, Capt. Chinonso Oteh, disclosed the development on Thursday.

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According to the statement, the operations are aimed at restoring confidence and denying armed groups freedom of movement across Plateau State.

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Mutfwang’s Drive to Reform the Mining Sector

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Recognising the strategic importance of the solid minerals sector to Plateau State’s economy, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has embarked on measures aimed at sanitising mining activities and improving security around mining communities.

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Soon after assuming office, the governor ordered a review of mining activities across the state, expressing concern over illegal mining, environmental degradation and the increasing infiltration of criminal elements into mining communities.

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The state government subsequently inaugurated a Technical Committee on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining to recommend reforms aimed at restoring order and ensuring that mining benefits host communities.

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The committee was mandated to review existing mining practices, identify illegal operators and recommend measures to improve regulation, environmental protection and security.

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As part of efforts to restore order, the state government also introduced a ban on night mining across Plateau, saying the decision became necessary following security reports linking illegal nocturnal mining activities to criminality, environmental degradation and violent attacks.

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The government explained that restricting mining activities to daylight hours would enable security agencies to monitor mining operations more effectively, identify illegal operators and respond promptly to security threats around mining locations.

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Under the directive, mining activities are expected to end by 5 p.m. daily, while security agencies have been directed to enforce compliance.

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Beyond the ban, the Mutfwang administration has continued to advocate closer collaboration among the Federal Government, licensed mining operators, host communities and security agencies to ensure that Plateau’s abundant mineral resources contribute meaningfully to economic development rather than fuel insecurity.

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The governor has consistently maintained that the mining sector must be properly regulated to attract genuine investors, create employment opportunities for young people, increase government revenue and protect host communities from criminal activities associated with illegal mining.

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Stakeholders Demand Stronger Action

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Following the latest attack, stakeholders have renewed calls for stronger security around mining locations.

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The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) described the Nyango attack as another reminder of the urgent need to dismantle criminal camps operating around Gyel and neighbouring communities.

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The association, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, noted that communities in Gyel, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South and parts of Bassa Local Government Area have repeatedly suffered attacks, resulting in deaths, injuries, displacement and disruption of economic activities.

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It urged security agencies to sustain offensive operations against criminal elements while calling on government at all levels to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve surveillance around mining communities.

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