A gun dwell between the soldiers and some bandits groups in the Gudiri community, Bashar District in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, have resulted in the death of some soldiers and bandits.
The incident, which happened earlier in the week was as a result was believed to have occurred after the soldiers who were on an operation in the area discovered the body of a police officer who was abducted by kidnappers in the community.
Some residents in the community who spoke to newsmen noted that the clash happened on Monday evening when a combined team of soldiers and vigilantes visited the bandits’ hideouts after the security agencies received a series of information about the bandits’ activities in the community.
The gun dwell, which lasted for an hour, was able to dislodge the bandit, according to the members of the community.
The security forces were also able to recover a large number of cattle that the bandits stole after the soldiers overpowered the bandits.
A youth leader in the community, Shapi’i Sambo, who spoke on the incident, noted that they explained that many casualties were recorded on the bandits’ side. He further confirmed that the bandits killed some of the soldiers after the clash lasted for hours.
A vigilante officer who spoke anonymously explained that three soldiers were killed during the clash while the soldiers also killed more than 15 bandits. He explained that the soldiers had decided to visit the area because they received information about the bandits’ activities.
The source noted that he was with the soldiers in the bush, noting they fought and dislodged the bandits from the area. He complained that the bandits’ activities in the area have been worrisome, as they engage in different crimes, such as robbery.
It was learnt that so many communities in the Wase LGA were attacked by gunmen suspected to be bandits in recent times.
Forty persons were reportedly killed in the Zurak community after bandits attacked the area on May 21. The vigilantes, supporting the security personnel to maintain law and order in the district casualties included vigilantes, supporting the security personnel to maintain law and order in the district
Efforts to speak with Major Samson Zhakom, the spokesman of Operation Safe Haven, a security task force maintaining peace in the state, proved abortive. He did not respond to calls and text messages.
