The Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has denounced the killing of seven persons at a mining site in Kuru District of Jos South Local Government Area, describing the incident as a “brutality of senseless killings” and a disturbing reflection of the deteriorating security situation in the state.
The party’s reaction followed confirmation by the Nigerian Army that seven illegal miners were shot dead in the early hours of Thursday after suspected armed bandits attacked an illegal mining site at Capitex in Kuru.
According to the military, troops of Sector 6 under Operation Safe Haven reported that the assailants struck at about 1:00 a.m., killing seven locals before escaping from the area.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Choji Dalyop, the opposition party said the incident further highlighted what it called the government’s “egregious failure” to safeguard lives and ensure basic security for citizens.
“We have noted with great concern and issued a strong condemnation of the tragic killing of seven innocent citizens in their prime at a mining site in Wat of Kuru District, Jos South LGA of Plateau State,” the statement said, adding that the victims were killed by “enemies of the state.”
The PDP said the Kuru attack was not an isolated incident but part of a broader and poorly managed security crisis that has persisted across Plateau State. It warned that repeated acts of violence, coupled with the absence of justice for victims, continue to weaken public trust in governance and democratic institutions.
“The senseless loss of life is a gloomy testament to the ongoing security crisis and the government’s lack of proactiveness and apparent indifference to the safety and welfare of the people it was elected to serve,” the party stated.
Citing the 1999 Constitution, the PDP stressed that the protection of lives and property remains the foremost duty of any government. It argued that recurring attacks and the failure to identify and prosecute perpetrators amount to a “severe dereliction of duty” as outlined in Section 14(2) of the Constitution.
The party also referenced the findings of a fact-finding committee established by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang in 2025 to investigate persistent killings in the state. According to the PDP, the report revealed that many of the attackers allegedly originated from neighbouring states and that violence had spread across no fewer than 420 communities.
It further noted that the report indicated widespread displacement, with thousands of people—predominantly women, children, and the elderly—forced to flee their homes, while nearly 12,000 lives were reportedly lost over time.
“Plateau State cannot afford to treat such atrocities as business as usual,” the PDP warned, describing the violence as “well coordinated, deliberate, and devastating” and a serious threat to the state’s long-held image as the Home of Peace and Tourism.
The party insisted that beyond condemnation, concrete action was required, stating that “The art of rhetoric and empty condemnations alone will not suffice. The people demand action, justice, and a government that prioritises human life over political power.”
The PDP said it stands with the families of the victims and the affected communities while also calling on national and international stakeholders to pay close attention to the renewed insecurity and human rights concerns in Plateau State to ensure timely and decisive intervention.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has said troops remain deployed in Kuru and surrounding communities, with sustained intelligence-led operations ongoing to track down and arrest those responsible for the attack.
What you should know
Plateau State has faced years of recurring violence linked to banditry, communal tensions and criminal activities, with mining areas increasingly becoming targets of deadly attacks.
Political parties and civil society groups have repeatedly accused authorities of failing to implement lasting security solutions, despite multiple investigations and military deployments.
The Kuru incident has once again intensified calls for accountability, justice for victims and a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of insecurity in the state.
