Three illegal miners have been killed by suspected armed robbers in Tenti Kampani Village, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to intelligence sources quoted by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, on Sunday, the incident occurred on January 31 along the Machembe–Tenti road.
It was gathered that the victims were returning to Tenti Village after engaging in illegal mining at a concealed site within Bokkos LGA when they were attacked, robbed and killed.
Troops of Sector 5, Operation Safe Haven (OPEP), were informed of the attack and immediately mobilised to the scene.
On arrival, the corpses of the victims were discovered and later identified as Raphael Amos, 30; Junior Malul, 15; and Nanfwang Hassan, 18,” the source said.
Military sources added that the bodies were evacuated by their families to the Tenti Primary Health Centre for preservation and burial arrangements.
The Nigerian Army have since commenced offensive patrols in the general area to apprehend the perpetrators and restore normalcy.
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“Preliminary investigations indicated that the attack was carried out by suspected armed robbers who targeted the victims to dispossess them of illegally mined minerals.”
The deceased were involved in illegal mining activities in defiance of the existing ban and closure of all illegal mining sites in the area.
To prevent a breakdown of law and order, the Executive Chairman of Bokkos LGA, in consultation with Sector 5 troops and other security agencies, has imposed a daily curfew on the affected community from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Sustained intelligence-driven operations were ongoing to identify, track and apprehend those responsible for the attack, while ensuring strict enforcement of the curfew.
