The Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the killing of seven people at a mining site in Kuru District, Jos South Local Government Area, describing the incident as a “brutality of senseless killings” and a stark indication of the deteriorating security situation in the state.
The condemnation follows 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, Kuru. According to troops of Sector 6, Operation Safe Haven, the attackers struck at about 1:00 a.m., killing seven locals before fleeing the area.
In a press statement issued on Friday and signed by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Choji Dalyop, the opposition party said the incident exposes what it termed the government’s “egregious failure” to safeguard lives and ensure basic security.
“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 party said, adding that the victims were killed by “enemies of the state.”
The PDP linked the Kuru attack to what it described as a long-standing and poorly addressed security crisis in Plateau State, warning that repeated violence continues to undermine public confidence in governance and democracy.
“The senseless loss of life is a gloomy testament to the ongoing security crisis and the government’s lack of pro-activeness and apparent indifference to the safety and welfare of the people it was elected to serve,” the statement read.
Citing the 1999 Constitution, the party argued that protecting lives and property is the primary responsibility of government, stressing that recurring attacks and the failure to bring perpetrators to justice amount to a “severe dereliction of duty” under Section 14(2).
The PDP also recalled findings from a fact-finding committee set up by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang in 2025 to investigate persistent killings in the state. According to the party, the report revealed that many attackers allegedly came from neighbouring states and that violence had affected at least 420 communities.
The party further noted that thousands of people—mainly women, children and the elderly—have been displaced, with nearly 12,000 lives reportedly lost over time.
“Plateau State cannot afford to treat such atrocities as business as usual,” the PDP said, warning that the violence is “well coordinated, deliberate and devastating,” and poses a threat to the state’s image as the Home of Peace and Tourism.
Against this backdrop, the PDP issued three demands: a transparent and impartial investigation into the Kuru killings with findings made public; the prompt prosecution of those responsible to ensure accountability and deterrence; and the implementation of a clear, actionable security strategy to address the root causes of insecurity.
“The art of rhetoric and empty condemnations alone will not suffice,” the statement added. “The people demand action, justice and a government that prioritises human life over political power.”
The party expressed solidarity with the families of the victims and affected communities, while urging national and international stakeholders to closely monitor the worsening insecurity and human rights situation in Plateau State to ensure swift and decisive intervention.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army said troops remain deployed in Kuru and surrounding areas, with ongoing intelligence-driven operations to track down and apprehend those responsible for the attack.