Inside Plateau’s mining sites of vicious clashes and death

The extraction of minerals from the ground, which is supposed to be an economic activity to benefit the society has turned into sorrow and regret for some rural residents of Plateau State.Despite attempts by the state government to regulate mining through some rules and regulations, those illegally involved in it pay little or no attention, thereby endangering lives and property in the process.

Plateau is richly blessed with several deposits of mineral resources with mining sites scattered across many rural communities in the State.

The most prominent minerals found in large quantity in the state are tin, columbite, kaolin, granite, marble, gypsum, quartz, barite, lead, zinc, iron ore, gemstones, topaz, amethyst, coal, clay, pyrochlore, monazite and fluorite.

While tin and columbite dominate due to their economic importance and long mining history, the state’s geology supports a wide range of industrial, metallic, and precious minerals, many of which remain under-exploited or targeted by these illegal miners.

However, illegal mining has long provided livelihoods for youths in some communities of Bassa, Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos Mangu and Wase local government councils of the state.

Most of the illegal miners hide under the cover of darkness to tear into ponds, often ignoring official government bans in search of better yields or to evade daytime scrutiny by a task force to prevent such illegal activity. This illicit and dangerous practice has become commonplace in the rural communities of Plateau State and has exposed them as prime targets for bandits and armed groups.

This they continue to do in defiance of the bans imposed by the state government over the years. Consequently, the mining sites have since become hotspots for violence, with many youths in those areas increasingly becoming casualties during such frequent clashes.

For instance, on January 22, 2026, suspected bandits attacked an illegal mining site in the Capitex area of Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area, around 1 am, killing seven young miners in the process. None of the attackers was arrested or even identified by security agencies. Their identities and whereabouts also remain unknown till date, throwing the native into more confusion, fear and uncertainty.Before then, on December 16, 2025, unknown gunmen had descended on a mining site in Ratoso Fan community in Barkin Ladi LGA and killed no fewer than 12 miners and injured many other persons. They also abducted three others and made away with some of the mined minerals.

Aside this sad development, rural communities in Wase Local Government Area of the state which is also known for its rich mineral deposits, frequently come under attack by gunmen.

Similar attacks have been reported in rural communities in Bokkos LGA,where gunmen have killed several persons in recent months, often under the cover of darkness when visibility is poor and security patrols are limited.

Beyond the problem associated with attacks by militias, the fragile nature of the mines where individuals search for gold, also poses a serious threat to lives. There have been many cases of mines collapsing over poor villagers searching for minerals.

No fewer than four illegal miners perished sometime in September 2025, while several persons were trapped and later rescued in Dura community of Jos South LGA after an illegal mining pit collapsed.
Eyewitnesses had told newsmen that the ground caved in on workers who had defied government warnings and sneaked in after vigilantes left the site at night.

Before then, in November 2024 in Bassa LGA 13 miners, mostly young men aged 18–30 died when an artisanal mining site collapsed.

The illegal, dangerous activities at mining sites have not gone unnoticed by security agencies in the state who recently vowed to enforce relevant laws by punishing those caught infringing them. Last week, the GOC in charge of 3rd Division in Plateau State, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, expressed concerns of security agencies about recent developments in parts of the State.

In particular, the military top shot lamented the growing attacks of miners at mining sites as well as the influx of large number of cattle into farming communities.

He warned that the ban on illegal mining in the state is in force and asked those involved in the nocturnal practice to keep off of face the full weight of the law.

The commander said: “While we deliberate on the strategies for a peaceful farming season, permit me to reiterate the need to reinforce community-based conflict resolution mechanisms where traditional, religious and community leaders must be at the forefront of dialogue between aggrieved parties.”

He urged all stakeholders to jointly develop and enforce a community driven code of conduct for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders in Mangu.

“ Furthermore, stakeholders must improve early warning mechanisms to alert security agencies in a timely manner to enable swift response to security threats,” Oyinlola said.

Illegal mining has been around for a while and the Plateau State government has not shied away from condemning and threatening to sanction those engaged in it, even though engaged in it have refused to heed all warning to desist from it.

Governor Mutfwang has since his assumption of office taken many steps to tackle illegal mining, kidnappings, illegal firearms possession, drug trafficking, and influx of unregulated foreign miners, environmental degradation, child labor, and frequent accidents like mine collapses where miners have been trapped or killed.

In February 2025, Governor Caleb Mutfwang signed Executive Order 001 suspending all mining activities (both legal and illegal) across the state with immediate effect until further notice.

The Governor also inaugurated a Technical Committee on Artisanal Mining to review the sector, as well as gather data on mining sites. By May 2025, the state cleared and granted resumption approval to about 159 mining companies that met regulatory standards, while maintaining the ban on uncleared or illegal operators.

Despite these interventions, challenges persist as some youths defiantly indulge in the act, especially at night. A young miner, Mancha Yaro, 18, who hails from Jos South LGA of the state, admitted that though they are aware of the grave dangers associated with illegal mining, especially at night, they were however engaging in it as a survival strategy. “We need to do something in order to eat and cater for our families,” the young man told AV.

He said severe economic hardship, lack of viable alternatives for livelihood and the high rate of unemployment are the major reasons why many youths are into illegal mining. “ I have been mining for the past three years without any form of qualification or any other skill requirement or qualification. I did not need to go to school or learn any skill because mining is the only job I can do for now; I just want to make money and support my parents,” Yaro said.

Also, high school dropout rates in mining communities continues to pose a serious threat to children’s education, despite government policies aimed at providing free basic education.

Dr. Kehinde Ogunmola, a lecturer at the Department of Geology, University of Jos, told AV that a significant number of mine collapses in Plateau occur because the miners often use rudimentary tools and ignore safety standards which lead to fatal accidents.

“ Many mining sites might have loose, sandy, or weathered soil, which is prone to sudden collapse. Also, torrential rain often softens the soil around mining pits, triggering collapses,” Ogunmola pointed out.
Mr. Jude Ajang, a Geologist, who spoke to our correspondent, said the abandoned mining ponds have claimed the lives of children and constantly exposing communities to severe environmental and health dangers.

He said residents across rural communities report regular incidents of children failing into these deep, water-filled ponds while playing or herding animals.

The Plateau State Commissioner for information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, explained that necessary steps were being taken to put an end to these challenges and ensure the protection of lives and property by the state government.

Inside Plateau’s mining sites of vicious clashes and death - Vanguard News