Plateau miners killed by suspected gunmen buried
Twelve miners who were killed by suspected militia gunmen at a mining site in Plateau State have been laid to rest after the tragic attack that shook communities and raised fresh concerns about insecurity in the region. The miners were ambushed at a mining site in Ratoso Fan community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, late on December 16, 2025, when suspected armed groups stormed the location while the victims were working and opened fire, killing 12 people and injuring others. The attackers reportedly demanded information about stolen cattle before executing the miners when no answers were given, indicating the violence may be linked to rustling and reprisal attacks that have been affecting the area.
In the days following the attack, security agencies were informed and residents expressed profound grief as search efforts for missing persons continued. Community leaders and families of the victims condemned the brutality and called for stronger protection for mining communities, which have become vulnerable to violence by armed groups amid ongoing cycles of communal conflict and criminality in Plateau State.
The burial of the 12 miners took place with local mourning as relatives and residents gathered to pay their last respects, underscoring the heavy toll that insecurity and militia attacks are taking on ordinary livelihoods. The incident has highlighted the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect citizens engaged in economic activities such as mining, which, despite its risks, remains a source of income for many rural families in the state.
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