From Yakubu Wuyep, Jos
Less than 12 hours after the Plateau State residents were thrown into panic, following the early morning attack by suspected terrorists on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), the state suffered another attack by suspected gunmen who stormed a mining site, and killed five miners.
Daily NewsCraft reported on Tuesday that two army personnel and a police officer were killed in the NIPPS attack.
Our Jos correspondent reports that the second attack in the state within one day was at a mining site in Gero Village of Gyel District of Jos South Local Government Area, which claimed five miners’ lives.
The attack on Gero Village, which is located about five kilometres from the NIPSS community, happened in broad daylight, leaving people scrambling for safety.
The dastardly act occurred at about 3 pm, hours after an earlier reported attack at NIPPS.
A resident of the affected community, Mr Ritiji Dalyop, disclosed that the victims were engaged in mining activities when the attackers invaded the site, and opened fire on them.
According to Dalyop, all five victims were shot dead by the gunmen.
Dalyop’s statement was also confirmed in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong.
The association alleged that the attack was part of a growing security threat in communities around the area, and expressed concern about the safety of residents and strategic national institutions.
He further referenced an earlier reported attack around NIPSS, Kuru.
The group called for urgent intervention by security agencies to prevent further attacks, and restore confidence among affected communities.
It also urged government authorities to strengthen security surveillance, and ensure the protection of lives and property.
As at the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful.