JOS, Nigeria — Gunmen killed three women and wounded another person at a mining site in Plateau State on Monday afternoon, according to community representatives.
The attackers entered the site in Rakum, a community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, and opened fire on people working there before fleeing.
The attack occurred on Monday, September 28, 2026.
The report placed the shooting at about 4:30 p.m., while a community resident said it occurred at about 4 p.m.
The identities of the women had not been disclosed.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, confirmed that three women were killed and another person injured.
“The incident happened at Rakum. Three women were killed while another person was injured, when the attackers stormed the mining site and opened fire,” Tengwong said.
“This is another sad development that has further heightened concerns over the safety of people working and living in the area.”
Tengwong called on security agencies to find those responsible for the attack.
“We are calling on the security operatives to immediately go after the perpetrators and ensure that those responsible are arrested and brought to justice,” he said.
John Silas, a member of the affected community, separately confirmed the shooting and said the miners were carrying out their work when the gunmen arrived.
“The attackers came to the mining site and opened fire on the people there. Three women were killed and another person was injured,” Silas said.
“We are deeply worried because people should be able to go about their legitimate businesses without being attacked.”
Silas urged security agencies to intensify efforts to locate the attackers and prevent further violence in the area.
“We are appealing to the security operatives to intensify efforts to track down the attackers and prevent further attacks in the community,” he said.
No motive for the shooting was disclosed, and the attackers had not been identified in the report.
The incident came amid heightened tension in parts of Plateau State following separate attacks in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Bokkos.
Dozens of farmers and herders had been killed in the violence, and authorities had imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in affected areas, according to multiple news reports.
The Plateau State Government had urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding and said it was working with security agencies to protect lives and property.
Five Alternative NYT-Quality Headlines
- 3 Women Killed as Gunmen Attack Mining Site in Plateau State
- Gunmen Open Fire at Plateau Mining Site, Killing 3 Women
- 3 Women Shot Dead in Attack on Plateau Mining Site
- Gunmen Kill 3 Female Miners in Plateau Community, Wound Another Person
- Attackers Kill 3 Women at Mining Site in Plateau’s Barkin Ladi
