The death toll in Friday’s attack by bandits on troops of the Nigerian Army and other security officers in the Wanka district of the Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State has risen above 20.
This is as security officials and the Kanam Development Association, KADA, have confirmed some other deaths.
The deadly attack occurred on Friday when a combined team of military personnel and vigilantes travelling in two vehicles on routine patrol across Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, and neighbouring communities in the local government area came under heavy attack by the bandits who had laid an ambush for them.
Initial reports had confirmed that three army officers, including a captain and about seven members of the vigilante group were killed by the attackers.
However, in a statement late Saturday, the Kanam group confirmed that the heavily armed assailants gunned down more than 20 personnel.
In the statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of KADA, Garba Aliyu and Shehu Kanam respectively, the group said that at the time of the attack, about 12 security personnel lost their lives instantly, while eight vigilante members who joined forces to defend their communities also paid the supreme price.
The group added that the attackers later stormed the Kyaram Community, looting properties worth millions of naira and rustling a large number of cattle from residents where an unspecified number of people were also killed.
Part of the statement reads:
“The Kanam Development Association (KADA) expresses deep sorrow, outrage, and grave concern over the tragic bandit attack that occurred yesterday at about 2:00 p.m. in Wanka and surrounding communities in the Garga area of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
“Confirmed reports available to our association indicate that security personnel on routine patrol across the communities of Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, and other neighbouring settlements were ambushed on their way to Wanka by a large number of heavily armed bandits numbering in the hundreds. The patrol team consisted of military personnel and local vigilantes operating in two vehicles.
“In the unfortunate exchange of gunfire that followed the ambush, our nation lost brave defenders who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. About 12 security personnel, including two senior military officers, were killed.
“Additionally, eight vigilante members who courageously joined efforts to protect their communities also lost their lives. While reports indicate that some of the bandits were neutralized during the encounter, the loss suffered by our security forces and community defenders is deeply painful and unacceptable.”
The group described the attack as part of a prolonged wave of insecurity that has plagued Kanam border communities linking Plateau with Taraba and Bauchi States for several years now, culminating in recurring incidents of banditry, cattle rustling, kidnappings, and property destruction, despite repeated appeals to authorities.
It also called for the immediate deployment of additional military and security forces to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka, and surrounding areas, as well as the establishment of permanent security outposts in these border communities.
The association also called for urgent intervention from the local government, state, and the federal government to provide succour for the victims and displaced persons in the affected communities.
“We call for enhanced coordinated operations along the Plateau-Taraba-Bauchi border as well as relief support for victims who have lost livelihoods, homes, and livestock,” the statement said.
