Seven miners have been confirmed dead while three others sustained injuries after gunmen attacked a mining site in Wang community, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred on Saturday night when the assailants stormed the site and opened fire on the miners, who were engaged in their activities.
Confirming the development to journalists on Monday, a youth leader in the community, Christopher Luka, said the tragedy could have been avoided if warnings against night mining were heeded.
According to him, security agencies had earlier cautioned residents to stay away from the site following threats of possible attacks. He added that the recently inaugurated Agro Rangers also issued repeated advisories urging miners to suspend operations, particularly at night when security operatives were not present.
Two survivors, Shanono Usman Adam and Maren Moses, narrated that the victims were working at the site when the gunmen invaded and began shooting.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the mortuary of Bokkos General Hospital.
