At least three soldiers and seven vigilantes have been reportedly killed following a violent confrontation between security operatives and bandits in Wanka community, Keram district of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to a report by Daily Trust, residents said the incident occurred at about 5:30 pm on Friday, when armed bandits reportedly stormed the community and began shooting indiscriminately.
According to locals, several of the attackers were also killed during the exchange of gunfire.
A resident, Gambo Musa, said that two army captains were among those killed in the attack.
Narrating the incident, Musa said, “The residents of the attacked community had been living with bandits for some time. The bandits virtually control the area because they used to come and do whatever they like and leave without pursuing the residents out of the community.
“So, on Friday morning, security personnel under the command of two captains stormed the community, engaged the bandits, and killed several of them while others fled. Hours after the incident, and even before the soldiers left, the bandits regrouped from the nearby bushes, attacked and engaged the soldiers and the vigilantes working with the security, leading to casualties from both sides. Many bandits have also lost their lives,” Musa said.
Another resident, Ibrahim Ubale, described the incident as devastating, noting that the attackers were heavily armed.
“The bandits were well equipped, giving them the opportunity to confront the security personnel and the vigilantes. The engagement lasted for several minutes. But we are yet to ascertain if other residents were affected,” he said.
Efforts to obtain an official response were unsuccessful as the spokesperson for Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycap Oteh, did not respond to calls or text messages from our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.
Several communities in Wase and Kanam local government areas, which share a boundary, have experienced repeated attacks by bandits in recent months.
Last month, the Nigerian Army deployed 300 soldiers to the area to curb banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
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