Gunmen Attack Nigerian Mining Village, Leaving Many Dead

Gunmen riding motorbikes carried out a vicious assault on a mining village in central Nigeria, leading to the deaths of approximately 40 people and the destruction of numerous homes. The incident occurred in Plateau state, where a similar attack last December resulted in the deaths of nearly 200 individuals in predominantly Christian villages.

Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, the Plateau state commissioner for information, reported that the armed assailants invaded the Zurak mining community in Wase district, opening fire on residents and setting houses ablaze. Initial estimates suggested that around 40 people had been killed. However, after further investigation, it was confirmed that nine individuals had lost their lives, with several others sustaining gunshot wounds and a number of residents reported missing.

Plateau state police revealed that the attacks in Zurak and the village of Dakai were carried out by criminals, resulting in the deaths of nine people and the destruction of six homes. It was also disclosed that the attackers were fleeing from a security forces’ operation against “bandits” in the Bangalala forest.

Shafi’i Sambo, a local youth leader, claimed that at least 40 people had been killed in the raid, corroborating the initial estimate. Another resident, Adamu Saluwe, recounted the harrowing experience, describing how the attackers had terrorised the villagers, resulting in numerous casualties.

Following the attack, Zurak residents buried the deceased and others fled the area, carrying their possessions with them. The community heavily relies on mining, with deposits of zinc and lead in the Wase district. The entire Plateau state is renowned for its tin mining industry.

The region, located on the boundary between Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north and largely Christian south, frequently experiences violent outbreaks due to disputes between nomadic herders and pastoral farmers. These conflicts are further exacerbated by issues relating to climate change, such as competition for grazing land, water access, and the exploitation of the state’s mineral reserves.

In addition to resource-related tensions, parts of northern and central Nigeria have been plagued by the activities of heavily armed criminal gangs, responsible for looting villages and perpetrating large-scale kidnappings for ransom. This alarming trend has led to widespread devastation and instability in these areas.

This recent attack in Plateau state serves as a grim reminder of the violence that has afflicted the region. Just last December, nearly 200 people were killed in the Bokkos and Barkin Ladi districts, and a month later, intercommunal clashes broke out in the town of Mangu, resulting in the deaths of over 50 individuals and the displacement of thousands.

The situation in central Nigeria remains precarious, and urgent measures are required to address the root causes of conflict and violence in the region. It is crucial for authorities to provide adequate security measures and establish sustainable mechanisms for peace and stability, in order to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the residents.