The Kanam Development Association of Plateau State has raised alarm over the killing of no fewer than 20 security personnel, including local vigilantes, by bandits in Kanam Local Government Area of the state.
The group said the security operatives were part of a patrol team ambushed by heavily armed bandits in the Garga area on Friday.
It was gathered that the incident occurred around 4 p.m. when a combined team of military personnel and vigilantes travelling in two vehicles on routine patrol across Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and neighbouring communities came under heavy attack near Wanka.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the association disclosed that about 12 security personnel, including two senior military officers, were killed during the gun battle, while eight vigilante members who joined forces with the military to defend their communities also lost their lives.
The group added that although some of the attackers were reportedly killed during the exchange of gunfire, the bandits later invaded Kyaram community where they looted properties worth millions of naira and rustled a large number of cattle belonging to residents.
The association described the attack as part of a prolonged wave of insecurity affecting border communities linking Plateau State with Taraba and Bauchi states, noting that the area has suffered repeated incidents of banditry, cattle rustling, kidnappings and destruction of property over the past three to four years.
In the statement jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Garba Aliyu and Shehu Kanam, the association called on government at all levels to urgently intervene and strengthen security in the affected communities.
It also demanded the immediate deployment of additional military and security personnel to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka and surrounding areas, as well as the establishment of permanent security outposts in the border communities.
“The Kanam Development Association expresses deep sorrow, outrage and grave concern over the tragic bandit attack that occurred in Wanka and surrounding communities in the Garga area of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State,” the statement said.
“Confirmed reports available to our association indicate that security personnel on routine patrol across Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and neighbouring settlements were ambushed on their way to Wanka by a large number of heavily armed bandits numbering in the hundreds.
“In the exchange of gunfire that followed, about 12 security personnel, including two senior military officers, were killed, while eight vigilante members who joined efforts to protect their communities also lost their lives.”
Spokesman for the Joint Military Taskforce in Plateau State, Capt. Chinonso Oteh, said an official statement would soon be issued on the incident.
“I’m in Wase right now. I will soon issue a statement on the matter,” he said.
