Many bandits and some soldiers were reportedly killed in Gudiri Community of Bashar District of Wase local government area of Plateau.
The incident occurred two days after corpse of a police officer who was abducted on Wednesday last week around Kampani commuinity of Bashar district of Wase local government area of the state was found in a bush by soldiers in the area.
Residents of the community told 9News Nigeria correspodent that the clash occurred in the evening of Monday, August 20, when the soldiers and vigilantes took the fight to the den of the bandits following reports of banditry activities in the area, adding that the security personnel successfully dislodged them from their hideout.
The residents said more than one hundred cattles suspected to have been rustled were recovered from the bandits after the operation.
Spokesman of the Operation Safe Haven, security task force maintaining peace in the State, Major Samson Zhakom, could not be reach as at the time of filling this report.
Shi’pi Sambo, a youth leader in Wase LGA, who confirmed the incident said though he could not ascertain the casualty figure in the incident, a good number of bandits were killed when the soldiers descended on their camp.
He added that some soldiers have also paid the supreme price.
Narrating the incident, the youth leader said “After receiving reports of criminal activities being committed by the bandits on daily basis, security personnel then moved in and dealt with them. Many of the bandits were killed while others fled”
A member of vigilante group who pleaded for anonimity said, “We have just returned from the area. I was among those that went with the soldier to the area. Three soldiers were confirmed killed while more than 15 bandits also died in the incident. The resident of the community were happy with the arrival of the security personnel to the area, because the bandits were threat to their lives.They rustled cattle at their will and rob them of their properties and money”.
9News Nigeria correspodent reports that various communities in Wase LGA were attacked by gunmen suspected to be bandits in recent time and residents said they had been operating in Bashar district for years.
On May 21 this year, bandits had attacked Zurak community killing over 40 villagers and injured many including vigilantes, supporting the security personnel to maintain law and order in the district.
-9News Nigeria.
