Seven miners at the Mining Site in the Kuru community of Jos South Local Government Council in Plateau State were brutally killed on Friday morning by suspected armed bandits.

This occurred just as two people were also cruelly murdered in an ambush by bandits in Gyel District of the same Jos South Council.

Mining activities are no longer carried out during the day but now run from 12 midnight to 6.00am daily.

This also followed the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, telling the people of Plateau of the troops’ combat readiness to maintain peace and stability during his visit to the state early in the week.

The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), under the leadership of its National President, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, has unequivocally condemned the heinous and barbaric killing of seven innocent Berom youths, who were brutally murdered by armed Fulani terrorist elements at a mining site within the Kuru District axis of Plateau State.

Mwantiri, in a statement on Friday, said the dastardly act constitutes a gross violation of the sanctity of human life and represents a direct assault on the peace, security and collective dignity of the Berom people, stressing that the victims were peace-loving youths engaged in legitimate means of livelihood, whose lives were cruelly and unjustly terminated.

He said, “The deceased are: Dung Gyang, aged 19 years; Weng Dung, aged 26 years; Francis Paul, aged 23 years; Samuel Peter, aged 22 years; Dung Simon, aged 28 years; Pam Dung, aged 23 years; and Francis Markus, aged 15 years.

“The Association further recalls with grave concern the ambush and attack that occurred on Tuesday, 20th January, 2026, in Gyel District, which resulted in the deaths of two persons.

“The persistence and pattern of these coordinated attacks point to an alarming deterioration in security within Berom land and underscore the urgent need for firm and sustained intervention.”

“We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray that God Almighty grants them comfort, strength, and fortitude in this moment of immeasurable grief, and that the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”

The BYM calls on the Plateau State Government, the Federal Government, and security agencies to immediately and thoroughly investigate the attacks, identify, apprehend, and prosecute the perpetrators and their sponsors, and urgently reinforce security around vulnerable rural communities, mining locations, and access routes.

“The continued slaughter of innocent youths must not be allowed to persist.”

Furthermore, BYM urges the authorities to intensify intelligence gathering, deploy adequate, well-equipped security personnel, and adopt proactive, community-based security measures to prevent further loss of life, emphasising that the protection of the lives and livelihoods of Berom youths is non-negotiable.

The BYM stands In firm solidarity with the affected families and communities and reiterates its unwavering commitment to justice, peace, accountability, and the defence of the lives and dignity of the Berom people, Mwantiri said.

The Spokesman of the Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) of the Special Task Force of the Nigerian Army in Jos, Major Samson Zhakom, has just left for Jaji.

Also, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations for the 3 Division, Rukuba Barracks, Jos, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, has been transferred.

The State Police Command’s Spokesman, Superintendent of Police (SP) Alfred Alabo, cut the calls put to him on several occasions.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior officer disclosed that the army is aware and has taken the necessary actions to forestall any further attacks.

He assured that nothing of such unfortunate attacks will happen again, urging the people to remain calm and go about their lawful activities. (The Guardian)

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