By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have confirmed the discovery of the corpse of a man with multiple machete wounds on the outskirts of Torok community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said troops of Sector 6 Operation Enduring Peace responded to a report of the discovery on Thursday and proceeded to the scene for verification.
According to the sources, the deceased was identified as Mr. Toma Chuwang, a resident of Torok village.
Preliminary findings indicated that the victim was allegedly attacked by yet-to-be-identified militia members while returning from an illegal mining site in the area.
A security source disclosed that the corpse showed signs of decomposition, suggesting that the victim may have died several days before it was discovered.
“Upon arrival at the location, troops confirmed the corpse of Mr. Toma Chuwang with machete cuts on the body. The condition of the corpse indicates that it had already started decomposing,“said the sources.
The remains were evacuated from the scene while security agencies commenced an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the killing and identify those responsible.
The source added that efforts were ongoing to gather further information that could assist in unraveling the incident and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Attacks linked to mining activities have become a recurring security concern in parts of Plateau State, where competition over access to mineral resources often fuels violence.
Security sources say some attacks are carried out by Fulani Bandits while other are carried out rival groups seeking to seize control of mining sites or steal mineral resources extracted by other miners. Such disputes frequently occur in remote locations where regulatory oversight is limited, making miners vulnerable to criminal attacks and violent confrontations.
In addition to disputes among mining groups, armed bandits, including criminal elements operating from surrounding forests, have been implicated in several attacks on miners in recent years.
The attackers often target mining sites to rob workers of cash, minerals and equipment.
In response to growing insecurity around mining activities, authorities in Plateau State have imposed restrictions on night mining operations and intensified efforts to regulate the sector in order to curb criminality and protect lives.
Credit: Zagazola Makama.
