Nigerian Army troops on patrol
At least 20 security operatives and local vigilantes were killed on Friday when heavily armed bandits ambushed a joint patrol in Wanka and nearby communities in the Garga area of Kanam Local Government, Plateau State.
The Kanam Development Association (KADA) confirmed the attack in a statement issued by its Secretary, ND Shehu Kanam, and Chairman, Garba G. Aliyu, on Saturday.
The statement revealed that the victims included 12 security personnel, among them two senior military officers, and eight vigilante members assisting the military in protecting the communities.
The patrol team was traveling in two vehicles conducting routine security operations across Garga, Kyaram, and Gyambau when hundreds of bandits attacked around 2:00 p.m. on their way to Wanka.
“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,” KADA said.
Following the attack, the bandits reportedly raided Kyaram, looting property worth millions of naira and rustling a large number of cattle from local residents.
KADA described the incident as “deeply painful and unacceptable” and warned that communities along the Plateau–Taraba–Bauchi border corridor have faced repeated attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling over the past three to four years.
The association called on local, state, and federal authorities to urgently intervene, including deploying additional military and security personnel to the affected communities and establishing a permanent security presence in the border areas.
KADA also urged coordinated operations to prevent bandits from exploiting the region’s difficult terrain and appealed for relief support for residents who lost homes, livestock, and livelihoods.
KADA extended condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the families of the fallen soldiers and vigilantes, and the affected communities, emphasizing that their sacrifice would not be forgotten. Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the military and police were unsuccessful as of press time.
“The people of these communities are law-abiding citizens who only wish to live peacefully, farm their land, and raise their families,” the statement added.
