Armed robbers attack miners in Plateau, kill three
By: Zagazola Makama
Three illegal miners have been killed by suspected armed robbers in Tenti Kampani Village, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 9:23 p.m. on Jan. 31 along the Machembe–Tenti road.
According to the source, the victims were returning to Tenti Village after engaging in illegal mining at a concealed site within Bokkos LGA when they were attacked, robbed and killed.
Troops of Sector 5, Operation Safe Haven (OPEP), were informed of the attack and immediately mobilised to the scene.
On arrival, the corpses of the victims were discovered and later identified as Raphael Amos, 30; Junior Malul, 15; and Nanfwang Hassan, 18,” the source said.
The sources added that the bodies were evacuated by their families to the Tenti Primary Health Centre for preservation and burial arrangements.
The source said troops have since commenced offensive patrols in the general area to apprehend the perpetrators and restore normalcy.
“Preliminary investigations indicated that the attack was carried out by suspected armed robbers who targeted the victims to dispossess them of illegally mined minerals,”said both police and military sources.
The source noted that the deceased were involved in illegal mining activities in defiance of the existing ban and closure of all illegal mining sites in the area.
To prevent a breakdown of law and order, the Executive Chairman of Bokkos LGA, in consultation with Sector 5 troops and other security agencies, has imposed a daily curfew on the affected community from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
The source said sustained intelligence-driven operations were ongoing to identify, track and apprehend those responsible for the attack, while ensuring strict enforcement of the curfew.
