The Plateau State Police Command has launched a manhunt for unidentified armed assailants who ambushed a group of miners returning from a mining site in Chwel Nyango Community, Jos South Local Government Area, killing three persons and injuring one other.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, the command said it received a distress call and swiftly deployed a patrol team led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) ‘B’ Division, Bukuru, to the scene.

The incident occurred on Friday at about 9:20pm, according to sources from the community.

The injured victim was promptly evacuated to a hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.

A statement signed by SP Alfred Alabo, the spokesman of the police command, said the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Bassey Ewah, expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire Chwel Nyango community over the “senseless loss of lives”.

In a proactive measure to safeguard lives and property and prevent further breakdown of law and order, CP Ewah has directed the immediate enforcement of a statewide ban on night grazing and night mining activities.

He also reiterated that the total ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles (okada) within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis remains in force, stressing that the directive is aimed at enhancing public safety and not at impeding citizens’ lawful means of livelihood.

As part of security arrangements for the ongoing Easter celebration, the CP has placed a ban on the activities of commercial tricycles, popularly known as “Keke-Napep”.

The Command urged residents to comply with these bans and avoid unnecessary movements, especially at night.

Security has been intensified in the affected area, while the public has been advised to report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agency or through it, the statement added.

In a related development, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has buried four members who were killed last Sunday night during an attack on the Anguwan Rukuba community in the Jos North local government area of the state.

28 persons were confirmed killed while many were injured when gunmen attacked the community, shooting indiscriminately, a situation that led the government to impose a 48-hour curfew to maintain law and order.

The curfew was imposed following tensions in Jos North.

Selected family members of those affected and the Chief Imam of Jos Central Mosque, Sheikh Ghazali Ismaila Adam, held the funeral prayer for the deceased at the Babale Burial Cemetery and thereafter buried them there.

The funeral prayer was held at the cemetery to avert tension.

The Chief Imam, who led the prayer, condoled with the affected families and asked them to be patient, considering the incident as a decree from Allah.

The Chief Imam also called on the general public to desist from making statements capable of generating tension, emphasising that nothing is better than peace.

Our correspondent reports that Governor Caleb Mutfwang has in his recent broadcast urged residents to remain calm, assuring that his government and other security agencies are working closely to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators. (Vanguard)