INSECURITY: Many bandits killed in clash with vigilantes in Plateau

Many bandits have been reportedly killed in a fierce clash between bandits and a combined operation of vigilantes and soldiers around the Dutsen Zaki community in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Daily Trust gathered that the operation, which is in its fifth day, recorded a huge number of casualties from both the bandits and the vigilantes. 

16 vigilantes were said to have been injured in the clash and are currently receiving treatment at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Wase and another hospital in Bauchi State. 

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Dutsen Zaki is a thick forest surrounded by other villages, including Zurak, Aduwa, Kinashe, and Odare, in the Bashar district of Wase LGA. But many residents of the area have recently fled their homes due to the presence of the armed men in the area and the incessant attacks on their communities. 

Disclosing the latest development on Wednesday, Abdullahi Hussaini, a leader of the vigilantes in the area, told Daily Trust that the fight started on Saturday morning and continued until Wednesday, when vigilantes numbering over 300 took the fight to the bandits’ hideout.

Hussaini said many bandits including their wives were killed while four vigilantes also lost their lives in the incident, describing the development as a great success. 

“We started the fight on Saturday. We are forced to face these armed men. People on the Bashar axis are no longer safe. People cannot live in their houses simply because of the fear of attack, killing and kidnapping. The activities of the armed men have become a daily occurrence. That is why vigilantes are taking the fight to their hideout,” Hussaini said. 

The vigilante leader further explained that the fight would continue until all the armed men left the area, noting that, “It is not an easy task, given how the bandits have made the forest their home for so long. We have made several attempts in the past but haven’t succeeded. But this time around, we killed them and their wives. Many of them have also fled. The forest is now under our control.”

Shapi’i Sambo, a youth leader in Wase, also confirmed the development, saying the four vigilantes killed in the clash included a commander of the vigilante group, adding that a new commander has been appointed to continue the operation. 

Abdullahi Bin Umar, a resident of one of the affected villages, confirmed the fight. He said, “Residents of villages sharing borders with the forest have fled their communities for fear of the unknown. People are really scared about what may happen in the coming days, given the number of bandits killed.”

The spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, has yet to respond to a request for comment on the incident at press time.

Troops neutralise bandits in Wase

Operation Safe Haven, a multi-security task force maintaining peace in the state, has recently recorded success in the fight against bandits in the villages of Wase. 

On June 1, the operation through its spokesperson, Major Samson Zhakom, disclosed that troops of 3 Division and Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), killed three notorious bandits in Pinau village who have been terrorising the area. 

Major Zhakom had also on May 15 told journalists that troops of the operation killed two bandits around Nemaledu community of Wase after soldiers laid an ambush close to the hideouts, adding that  one AK47 rifle was recovered from the suspects.

The OPSH’s spokesperson on May 30 told journalists that in the early hours of May 31, 2025, troops of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN acting on credible intelligence conducted offensive operations at hideouts belonging to criminal elements along the fringes of Pinau Village. 

Major Zhakom said during the operation, troops made contact with criminal elements terrorising the general area including Pinau – Gimbi road and in an exchange of fire, troops overwhelmed the criminals neutralised three of the bandits while others fled with gunshot wounds as indicated by the blood stains along their withdrawal routes.

Troops exploited the general area and recovered one AK-47 rifle and one AK-47 magazine.  

Troops of the operation on June 3 said it had conducted an intelligence-based operation along the borders between Plateau and Taraba states. The operation according to the operation was based on a tip-off about plans by bandits to attack communities in Kampani Zurak in Wase Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State. 

Major Zhakom said during the operation, troops made contact with the criminals at their concentration area at Dutsen Zaki High Ground in Wase LGA of Plateau State. In an exchange of fire, troops neutralised one of the bandits while others fled with gunshot wounds.

Operation continues Friday – vigilante

Leaders of the vigilante group in Wase have vowed that the fight against bandits in the villages of Wase will continue on Friday, explaining that they have no option but to force the armed men to leave the forest.

Hussaini, a key participant in the ongoing operation, stated, “The bandits have been entrenched in the forest for numerous years, terrorising our communities, which has necessitated our decisive action against them. We have no choice but to confront them head-on. The operation will persist tomorrow and beyond until every last bandit flees the forest and our area is secure.”

Community calls for deployment of security personnel

Members of various communities in Wase have urged the federal and state governments to deploy security personnel to secure their areas, warning that gunmen will continue to attack them and steal their belongings if action is not taken to address the problem.

They added that they have become vulnerable and can be attacked at any moment.

Shapi’i Sambo, the youth leader in Wase, said, “ We plead with the relevant authorities to heed our cry for help. Life has become increasingly miserable for community members. The pervasive insecurity has reached a point where people can neither rear livestock nor tend to their farms without fearing for their lives. The uncertainty and fear of the unknown have gripped our community, and we desperately need intervention to restore peace and stability.”

Ismail Musa, another resident of Wase, appealed to the government to take security measures to restore law and order in the area, saying they are now living under siege by bandits.

He said, “We urgently implore the government to deploy security personnel to our community, as our lives are undeniably in danger. The current state of insecurity has crippled our daily activities, and business can no longer continue as usual. We plead with the government to take immediate action to restore law and order in our community.”

Recent attacks by bandits in Wase communities

Our correspondent reports that banditry attacks and kidnapping have become common in various villages in Wase, with many people reportedly either killed or kidnapped for ransom. The activities of armed men have disrupted social and economic activities, as hundreds have fled their villages in recent months.

On June 5, Jubilation erupted in various villages of Wase after soldiers and vigilantes descended on bandits’ hideouts in Kadil Masudu, killing at least five suspected kidnappers. Residents of the area expressed happiness with the victory after years of trouble and intimidation.

During the incident, youth leader Shapi’i Sambo said a vigilante group member lost his life while others were injured during the clash, adding that a kidnapped victim held captive for over a month was rescued by security operatives and vigilantes.

On May 5, hundreds of residents of Dogon Ruwa community in Bashar District of Wase fled their community following the invasion by gunmen suspected to be bandits in the community. 

Residents of the community said the bandits arrived at 11 am when residents and visitors were transacting businesses in the market, forcing people to flee the market and their homes. 

Residents said bandits had during the attack burgled shops and business centres and carted away huge quantities of food items, motorcycles, and medicines, adding that five persons were abducted while one killed during the attack. 

Residents revealed they were initially deceived by the gunmen’s military attire, as they were wearing full soldiers’ uniforms. The residents admitted that, at first glance, they all believed the armed men were indeed soldiers, possibly deployed to provide security for the community but quickly became apparent that this was not the case.