Suspected gunmen have killed eight persons during an attack on a mining site at Shawalan Kuru in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau state.
The attack, which was carried out on Friday evening, has thrown the community into mourning.
The corpses have been handed over to the relatives of the deceased as they were retrieved during a visit to the site by leader of Jos South Council Hon Emmanuel Jang.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Plateau, A.S Tafida, who represented the Commissioner of Police, condoled with the entire Jos South people, especially the Kuru community.
He appealed for calm and cooperation amongst them and advised them not to take laws into their hands.
Tafida promised to work with their leaders in carrying out discreet investigations to arrest the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau has confirmed killing of eight miners in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Saturday in Jos, describing the incident as an attempt to destabilize the state.
He said the act by the criminals was to create fear in the state saying that government would not condone such attacks on innocent people.
Lalong directed security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous act, which is a threat to the substantial peace being enjoyed in the state.
He said that the narratives of ‘unknown gunmen’ excuses would no longer be tolerated by the agencies.
He also charged residents to assist law enforcement agencies with intelligence gathering on criminal activities.
He said that they should do so through existing structures such as the traditional institutions, community police constabulary, vigilance groups and other associations.
Lalong commiserated with the families of those killed and those who injured during the attack.
