Alleged marauders invaded Wanka community in Keram District, Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, resulting in the deaths of three soldiers and seven vigilantes.
The unfortunate event transpired around 5:30 pm on Friday, when the marauders stormed the village and commenced firing indiscriminately, inciting panic among the local populace.
It was additionally reported that numerous assailants perished during the clash.
A source from the community informed NAIJATAB that two army captains were included among the deceased.
The informant clarified that before the assault, the residents had been coexisting with the marauders for a considerable duration, emphasizing that the bandits had essentially gained dominance over the area, as they frequently came, acted as they wished, and departed without displacing residents from the community.
On Friday morning, he stated that security forces, under the leadership of the two captains, raided the community, engaged the marauders, and eliminated several of them while others escaped.
He remarked, “Hours after the occurrence, and even prior to the soldiers’ departure, the bandits reassembled from the adjacent thickets, launched an attack, and confronted the soldiers and the vigilantes allied with them, resulting in casualties on both fronts. Many marauders also perished.”
He clarified that the bandits were well-armed, which enabled them to challenge the security forces and vigilantes. He noted that the confrontation persisted for several minutes, and it remains unclear whether residents were impacted.
Captain Polycap Oteh, the spokesperson of Operation Enduring Peace, was unable to respond to calls and texts from our reporter at press time.
Numerous villages in Wase and Kanam, which lie adjacent to one another, have persistently experienced bandit incursions.
