Soldiers, Bandits Killed in Deadly Clash in Plateau State

A fierce gunfight between soldiers and bandits in Gudiri, a community within the Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area in Plateau State, has reportedly resulted in multiple casualties on both sides. The confrontation took place on Monday evening as security forces responded to escalating banditry in the region.

Local sources revealed that the clash occurred just two days after the body of a police officer, abducted the previous week near Kampani in Bashar District, was discovered by soldiers in a nearby bush. This tragic discovery prompted an intensified military operation in the area.

According to residents, the soldiers, supported by local vigilantes, launched an offensive against the bandits’ hideout following consistent reports of criminal activities. The operation successfully forced the bandits out of their stronghold, resulting in significant casualties among the attackers. Over 100 cattle, believed to have been stolen, were also recovered during the raid.

Shapi’i Sambo, a youth leader in Wase, confirmed the incident, noting that a substantial number of bandits were killed. However, he acknowledged that some soldiers also lost their lives during the operation. “After receiving reports of criminal activities committed daily by the bandits, security personnel moved in and dealt with them. Many of the bandits were killed, while others fled,” Sambo stated.

A vigilante member who participated in the operation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, reported that three soldiers were killed in the clash, alongside over 15 bandits. He added that the local community expressed relief following the military’s intervention, as the bandits had been a persistent threat, frequently rustling cattle and robbing residents of their possessions.

Wase Local Government Area has seen a surge in bandit attacks in recent months, with multiple communities targeted. In one particularly brutal incident on May 21, bandits attacked Zurak community, killing more than 40 villagers and injuring many others, including vigilantes who had been aiding security forces in maintaining order.

Efforts to reach Major Samson Zhakom, the spokesman for Operation Safe Haven, the security task force responsible for peacekeeping in Plateau State, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.