At least 12 killed in Nigeria mining site attack, group says

• On Tuesday night miners in Fan district were attacked and at least 12 were killed, the Berom Educational and Cultural Organization said Wednesday.
• Survivors said the attackers were suspected Fulani militias after hearing them speak, and BECO chairman Davott described the assault as unprovoked, with miners shot while working.
• Local groups reported three people were abducted and the assault left five hospitalized miners while many miners remain unaccounted for, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri said.
• Acting Deputy Director Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja said the army would act, police confirmed investigations are underway, and the Berom Youth Moulders-Association urged government security forces to increase deployments and enforce open grazing bans.
• The incident underscores persistent insecurity in Plateau, a Middle Belt flashpoint for farmer‑herder clashes, as Tuesday’s raid came days after four children were killed nearby.

Not less than 12 miners have been killed by gunmen, with many unaccounted for in the Faan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The Berom Educational and Cultural Organization, BECO, which disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, said the gunmen attacked the miners while they were engaging in their mining activity on Tuesday night.

In the statement issued by the BECO Chairman, Dagallang Davott, who also doubles as the Secretary of the Mining Committee in Barkin Ladi, the gunmen suspected to be Fulani militas, attacked the miners while they were carrying out their activities and opened fire on them.

According to Davott, the attack was unprovoked as there was no reason or cause for it.

“On Tuesday, December 16, there was an attack at the Fan district of Barkin Ladi local government area. It happened in the night. The gunmen stormed the mining site and opened fire on the miners. So, many of them fled for their lives during the incident, but 12 persons so far have been confirmed killed,” Davott said.

“From the information we gathered, the attackers were Fulani people because survivors heard them speaking the language.

“Apart from those killed, many others were injured while others are still missing,” he said.