At least seven persons have been confirmed killed with dozens of others injured or missing after gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias attacked a mining site in Kuru District of Jos South local government area of Plateau State.
The tragic incident, according to the Kuru District chapter of the Berom Youth-Moulders Association, BYM, happened on the night of Wednesday, January 21st, when the heavily armed gunmen stormed the mining site where hundreds of youths including women, were carrying out their mining activities and opened fire on them.
In a statement signed on Thursday by the Publicity Secretary of the Kuru District BYM, Kwis Manasseh Bulus, on behalf of the Chairman, David Gyang Yusuf, the attack was unprovoked as no earlier incident would warrant the killing of the young people who were only engaged in activities to provide food for their families.
“The Kuru District of the BYM condemns in the strongest terms the gruesome and barbaric killing of seven innocent youths who were brutally murdered by armed bandits at a mining site within the Kuru District axis,” the statement reads.
It added that the “senseless and heinous act” has plunged families and the entire Kuru District into deep mourning as the victims were peace-loving youths whose lives were cruelly and unjustly cut short.
Bulus want on to name the deceased victims as Dung Gyang, 19 years, married with one child, from Wat village; Weng Dung, 26 years, married with two children, from Chol village; Francis Paul, 23 years, married with one child, from Wat village and Samuel Peter, 22 years, married with one child, also from Wat village.
Other victims, according to Bulus include Dung Simon, 28 years, married with three children, from Wat village; Pam Dung, 23 years,
and Francis Markus, 15 years, both from Wat village.
“BYM Kuru District is deeply saddened and outraged by this tragic loss of young lives—most of them family men and a minor—whose futures and responsibilities have been violently cut short. This act is a clear assault on the peace, security, and dignity of our people,” Bulus continued.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire people of Kuru. We pray that God Almighty grants comfort, strength, and fortitude to the families in this moment of unbearable grief, and that the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.
“We call on the Plateau State Government, security agencies, and all relevant authorities to urgently investigate this crime, apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators, and immediately strengthen security around vulnerable rural communities. The continuous killing of innocent youths must stop.”
The BYM urged the government to intensify intelligence gathering, deploy adequate security personnel, and adopt proactive measures to prevent a recurrence of such tragic incidents.
“The lives of our youths must be protected. BYM Kuru District stands in solidarity with the affected families and reaffirms its commitment to justice, peace, and the defense of the lives and dignity of Berom youths,” Bulus added.
