Three women have been killed and another person injured after gunmen attacked a mining site in Rakum community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred on Monday evening when the attackers reportedly stormed the mining site and opened fire on workers before fleeing the area.

The spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders-Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attack to The PUNCH in Jos, saying three women were killed while another person sustained injuries.

“The incident happened at Rakum. Three women were killed while another person was injured when the attackers stormed the mining site and opened fire,” Tengwong said.

He described the incident as another troubling development that had heightened concerns over the safety of residents and workers in the area.

Tengwong called on security agencies to immediately commence efforts to track down the attackers, arrest those responsible and bring them to justice.

A community member, John Silas, who also confirmed the incident, said the attack occurred at about 4pm.

According to Silas, the gunmen arrived at the mining site and opened fire on people at the location, killing three women and injuring another person.

He expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the area, stressing that residents should be able to engage in legitimate economic activities without fear of attack.

The latest incident adds to a series of deadly attacks reported in parts of Plateau State in recent weeks, particularly across Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bokkos Local Government Areas.

The attacks have continued despite a curfew imposed by the Plateau State Government as part of efforts to contain insecurity and restore peace in affected communities.

On Saturday, six people were reportedly killed in an attack at Laja village in Mangu Local Government Area.

Some vigilantes were also reportedly killed at their duty post in Kikyo village, Mangu, during the curfew hours.

Other attacks have been reported in Cantoma and Bin-Per villages in Mangu, as well as Kasa village in the Marit District of Barkin Ladi, further increasing tension among residents.

The worsening security situation has also attracted condemnation from the four branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Plateau State.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on Monday’s attack at the mining site.

The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, was also unavailable for immediate comment, as calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.

The latest attack is expected to heighten calls for increased security presence in vulnerable communities and mining locations across the affected parts of Plateau State.

A passenger has died after jumping from a moving commercial bus that reportedly crashed into a median pole at Ogunlana Junction, inward Ojuelegba, in the Surulere area of Lagos State.

The accident involved a Volkswagen commercial bus with number plate LND 130 XR and occurred along the Ojuelegba axis of the state.

The Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to Taofiq, preliminary findings indicated that the driver of the commercial bus was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had been driving recklessly shortly before the crash.

He said motorists approaching the bus from behind reportedly had to exercise caution in an attempt to avoid colliding with the vehicle, which was being driven erratically.

Taofiq explained that the situation created panic among the occupants of the bus, with one male passenger apparently attempting to escape from the uncontrolled vehicle.

The passenger reportedly jumped from the moving bus and sustained severe injuries after hitting the ground.

He later died from the injuries sustained in the incident.

“In the ensuing pandemonium, a male passenger, apparently attempting to escape from the uncontrolled moving vehicle, jumped out of the bus and sustained grievous injuries upon impact with the ground.

“Tragically, the passenger subsequently succumbed to the injuries sustained in the incident,” Taofiq said.

He added that LASTMA personnel carrying out routine traffic surveillance around the Ojuelegba area swiftly responded after sighting the crash.

The officials, according to him, immediately secured the accident scene and introduced emergency traffic-management measures to prevent further danger to motorists and other road users.

The deceased and the damaged bus were subsequently removed from the carriageway to prevent a secondary collision and ease traffic movement in the area.

Security personnel from the Area C Police Division, Ojuelegba, also provided security cover at the scene, while officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency evacuated the remains of the deceased.

The incident has once again raised concerns about the dangers associated with driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving, particularly on busy Lagos roads.

Taofiq urged motorists to exercise caution and ensure that their vehicles were in good mechanical condition before embarking on journeys.

Reacting to the crash, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, advised both commercial and private motorists to conduct comprehensive checks on their vehicles before taking to the road.

He specifically urged motorists to pay attention to critical safety components, including braking systems, tyres and steering mechanisms.

Bakare-Oki commiserated with the family of the deceased and reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to responding promptly to road crashes, managing traffic effectively and clearing accident scenes as quickly as possible.

The agency also reiterated the importance of responsible driving and strict compliance with road safety regulations to reduce avoidable crashes and protect the lives of motorists, passengers and other road users.

The management of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has confirmed the arrest of two suspected vandals allegedly linked to the destruction of a transformer at the Urunkpuke Distribution Substation in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The suspects, identified as Nonso Okolodile and Emeka Onyeugwo, both natives of Nimo, were arrested by members of the Nimo Vigilante Group following a report of the alleged vandalisation of the electricity infrastructure.

The company’s Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, saying the arrest followed a report by the company’s Feeder Manager in the area.

According to him, after receiving information about the vandalised transformer, FirstPower contacted the local vigilante group and requested that the suspects be handed over to the police for investigation.

Okafor said the suspects were subsequently taken to the Nimo Divisional Police Station, where they are currently being held for preliminary investigation.

He added that the company had also requested that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for further and discreet investigation.

“The arrest followed concerns over the vandalisation of the Urunkpuke DSS transformer, one of the critical electricity distribution assets serving customers in the area,” the statement said.

A tool allegedly being used by the suspected vandals, alongside parts of the vandalised transformer and other items, was reportedly recovered from the scene.

FirstPower said the incident underscored the growing threat posed by the vandalisation of electricity infrastructure to electricity supply and the cost of maintaining the distribution network.

“Vandalisation of transformers and other electricity infrastructure disrupts electricity supply to communities and imposes significant costs on the distribution system,” the company said.

The electricity distribution company commended the Nimo Vigilante Group for its intervention and cooperation with the company and security agencies in apprehending the suspects.

FirstPower also reiterated that vandalism of electricity infrastructure constitutes a serious criminal act, warning that such activities threaten electricity supply and damage infrastructure relied upon by residents, businesses and other customers.

The latest arrests come days after the company raised concerns over what it described as the high rate of vandalism across its network in Anambra State.

The company disclosed that no fewer than 73 major cases of vandalism involving electricity infrastructure had been recorded across different parts of the state between January and September 2026.

According to FirstPower, the incidents have had significant consequences for its ability to provide services to customers while also increasing the cost of maintaining and replacing damaged infrastructure.

The company therefore urged residents and community leaders across its network to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around transformers, substations, electricity poles, cables and other installations.

It encouraged members of the public to make use of appropriate security authorities or FirstPower’s established whistleblowing channels whenever they notice suspicious movements around electricity infrastructure.

“FirstPower will continue to collaborate with security agencies, community groups and other relevant stakeholders to protect its distribution infrastructure and ensure that those found culpable of vandalising electricity installations are brought before the appropriate authorities for necessary action in accordance with the law,” the statement added.

The company also assured customers in Nimo and other affected communities that it remained committed to restoring and improving electricity supply while working with relevant stakeholders to protect its distribution network.

The suspects remain in police custody as investigations into the alleged vandalism continue.