Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have neutralised an armed militia member and recovered two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles following an attack and heavy gunfire in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred on Sunday, August 9, 2026, following reports of suspicious movements around the bushes linking Kantoma, Bwom and Jakatai communities.
According to security sources available to counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama, the troops stationed at Maraban Kantoma received a distress call from local youth leaders at about 3:51 p.m., reporting the movement of unidentified persons in the adjoining bushes.
The situation reportedly escalated when armed militia members attacked Rangai community in Mangu Halle District, firing sporadically.
Troops from the NYSC camp immediately responded to the distress call and moved to confront the attackers.
At about the same time, a joint clearance and show-of-force team operating under Operation RAINBOW, led by its coordinator, was travelling from Mangun towards Jos when residents at Jakatai reportedly alerted the team to the developing security situation.
The team diverted towards Jakatai and engaged the armed elements, while troops operating along the Kantoma axis reportedly came under heavy gunfire from the militia members.
The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray.
During the exchange, one militia member was reportedly neutralised inside Jakatai community, while others fled in different directions.
Two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles were subsequently recovered by the troops—one from the neutralised suspect and another reportedly abandoned by a fleeing attacker.
“The troops responded immediately to the distress call and engaged the attackers, preventing the violence from spreading to neighbouring communities,” the sources said.
The body of the neutralised suspect was later deposited at the Barkin Ladi General Hospital mortuary, while the security team continued its movement towards Jos.
However, shortly after the attack was repelled, civil unrest reportedly broke out in Jakatai, where youths and women barricaded the Mangu-Jos Highway, disrupting traffic and temporarily affecting public order.
Following the development, the Commander, Sector 8, directed troops to reopen the highway and disperse the protesters. The troops subsequently conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the Rangai general area.
“The immediate priority was to reopen the highway, restore the free movement of traffic and prevent further escalation of the situation,” a security source said.
The incident has once again highlighted the volatile security situation in parts of Plateau State, particularly in areas where armed groups continue to pose threats to communities and security personnel.
