BREAKING: Tragedy in Kuru District — Pastoral Update on Christians Killed in Plateau State Violence
By ib connect
On the night of January 21, 2026, communities in Kuru District, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria, were thrown into shock and mourning after a deadly attack claimed the lives of several individuals. In an emotional and solemn update, Pastor John Haruna, a respected community leader from the area, spoke directly to the tragedy unfolding in his hometown, offering a powerful testimony amid grief and ongoing insecurity.
This blog post provides a thorough account of the incident, the broader security context in Plateau State, and the urgent calls for justice and peace from religious, social, and governmental authorities.
Night Attack on Kuru — What Happened
According to multiple verified reports from Nigerian news outlets, gunmen attacked a mining site in the Kuru community late on Wednesday night, killing at least seven young people involved in artisanal mining activities. The massacre took place around 1:00 a.m. when assailants armed with weapons reportedly opened fire on the workers, most of whom were youths between the ages of 18 and 28.
Eyewitnesses described how the gunmen, arriving on motorcycles, began firing indiscriminately, causing panic and widespread fear before fleeing into the darkness. Survivors recounted the horror of the assault and the frantic efforts of nearby residents to respond.
The victims were identified by local groups, including the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), which confirmed the identities of those killed: Dung Gyang (19), Weng Dung (26), Francis Paul (23), Samuel Peter (22), Dung Simon (28), Pam Dung (23), and Francis Markus (15).
Pastor John Haruna’s Statement: A Community in Mourning
In a heartfelt update released in the early hours of Thursday, Pastor John Haruna, a local pastor deeply connected with Kuru District, addressed the tragedy with a mixture of grief and resolve. While the full text of his statement is yet to be published by major outlets, sources close to the community say Haruna:
Expressed profound sorrow over the loss of innocent lives,
Described the attack as “a brutal violation of human dignity and peace,” and
Called on both state and federal authorities to take decisive and immediate action against perpetrators.
Pastor Haruna’s message — shared via community leaders and social media channels — underscored the deep emotional toll on families who lost loved ones and the urgent need for strengthened security in vulnerable rural areas.
His remarks resonate with similar appeals from religious leaders across the Middle Belt of Nigeria, who have consistently urged government intervention amid rising violence.
Plateau State: A History of Violence and Vulnerability
While this latest tragedy is shocking, it is part of a broader pattern of insecurity that has plagued Plateau State — especially in rural and mining communities.
Plateau, known as the Middle Belt of Nigeria, has experienced repeated outbreaks of violence, often tied to disputes between pastoralist groups (including nomadic herders) and sedentary farming communities. These clashes usually involve competition for land, grazing rights, and economic resources, but they have also taken on religious and ethnic dimensions over time.
In 2025 alone:
A Palm Sunday massacre in the village of Zikke killed 54 Christians and displaced hundreds, raising grave concerns about targeted violence against specific faith communities.
Earlier attacks across Jos South and neighboring districts left residents reeling, with local groups documenting dozens, if not hundreds, of deaths over months of escalating tensions.
These incidents compounded longstanding security challenges in Plateau — challenges that have drawn both national and international attention because of their frequency and brutality.
Government Response and Security Actions
Reacting swiftly to the news of the mining site killings, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State condemned the violence in strong terms. In public statements, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state, emphasizing that acts of terror would not deter peacebuilding efforts.
Governor Mutfwang’s message echoed calls for:
Intelligence-driven security operations,
Enhanced protection for artisanal miners and rural communities, and
Collaboration between state and federal agencies to hold perpetrators accountable.
Still, local leaders and advocacy groups have expressed concern that security deployments remain inadequate in many rural areas — particularly in districts like Kuru where night-time attacks have become more frequent.
Impact on Families and Local Economies
The human cost of such violence cannot be overstated. Families already grappling with economic hardship — especially those whose livelihoods depend on artisanal mining — are now confronted with loss, displacement, and long-term trauma. The victims were not combatants or security personnel; they were youths working to support their families when they were targeted.
Beyond the immediate losses, the attack has:
Sowed deep fear among community members,
Disrupted artisanal mining — a vital livelihood for many youths in Plateau, and
Spread anxiety across neighbouring districts, where miners and their families are now reconsidering whether to continue working at night or at all.
Religious Leaders Amplify Calls for Peace
Pastor Haruna’s statement is part of a larger chorus of religious leaders who have consistently responded to acts of violence with appeals for justice, reconciliation, and accountability. Leaders from various Christian denominations in Plateau have historically played roles not only as spiritual guides but also as mediators and advocates for their communities.
In past high-profile incidents, such as the Palm Sunday killings, Christian leaders have condemned violence as “genocide” and challenged authorities to act more effectively to protect citizens, decrying delayed or insufficient security responses.
Their voices increasingly stress that peace is not merely the absence of violence but requires:
Justice for victims,
Sustainable security policies, and
Dialogue between conflicting communities.
International Reactions and Broader Security Concerns
Violence targeting civilians — particularly when it disproportionately affects specific religious or ethnic groups — has drawn international criticism in recent years. Human rights organizations, advocacy groups, and foreign governments have continuously urged Nigeria to adopt a more robust and inclusive strategy for civilian protection.
Between late 2023 and early 2024, more than 1,300 people were reportedly killed in Plateau alone, with many attacks involving combinations of armed militias and poorly regulated armed groups. These events have fueled claims of systemic security gaps and raised questions about the protection of religious minorities.
The Road Ahead: Justice, Healing, and Security
As communities in Kuru District mourn their dead and await justice, several imperatives stand out:
1. Thorough and transparent investigations: Families and local leaders insist that law enforcement swiftly identifies and prosecutes those responsible.
2. Enhanced protection for rural communities: Many residents argue that more proactive security measures — including better intelligence and increased patrols — are needed to prevent future attacks.
3. Community-centered conflict resolution: Bridging divides between conflicting social groups is essential for long-term stability.
4. Support for victims and survivors: Beyond immediate medical and burial needs, psychological and economic support can help families rebuild.
Pastor John Haruna’s update is more than a report — it is a call for collective action, compassion, and accountability.
As Plateau State continues to grapple with insecurity, the voices of local leaders like Haruna, alongside government and civil society responses, will shape how communities heal and how Nigeria confronts one of its most persistent security challenges.
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