On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a group of suspected bandits carried out a violent assault on a local mining site in Gero village, located in the Gyel District of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State.

Key Details of the Incident:

Casualties: The attackers, who arrived at the scene on motorcycles around 3:00 p.m., opened fire on the miners, killing five youths instantly and leaving several others with various injuries.

Concurrent Violence: This attack occurred only hours after a separate incident at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru—situated just five kilometers away—where three security personnel lost their lives.

Community Response: Festus Dalyop, a local resident, confirmed the assault on the miners. Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary for the Berom Youth-Moulders Association (BYM), issued a strong condemnation of both attacks. He emphasized that these events highlight a dangerous escalation in regional insecurity and called upon security forces to take immediate action to protect both local citizens and critical national infrastructure.

Official Stance

The Plateau State Police spokesperson, SP Alfred Alabo, has acknowledged the tragedy. Authorities have launched an investigation into the matter and are currently conducting a manhunt to apprehend those responsible for the violence.