In a devastating incident in Plateau State, no fewer than 70 vigilantes lost their lives during a confrontation with bandits in the Kukawa and Bunyun communities of Kanam Local Government Area.
Local residents reported that the clash transpired on Tuesday afternoon at approximately 2 pm, when a large group of vigilantes from Wase Local Government Area fell into an ambush while en route to bandit hideouts.
Aliyu Baffa, the chairman of the Kukawa vigilante group, informed the press that “over 70 vigilantes were killed” in the ambush and indicated that more bodies may still be found in the surrounding bushes.
The encounter occurred just a kilometre from Kukawa town, where the vigilantes were intercepted by bandits as they approached the Government Forest Reserve, which borders Bauchi and Taraba states.
Baffa noted that some of the vigilante remains were discovered in nearby farmlands following the clash. He added, “We have buried more than 60 of the 70 bodies in Kukawa alone. It’s likely that more bodies could be recovered. Some of the vigilantes who managed to escape confirmed they were outnumbered by the bandits.”
Musa Ibrahim, a resident of Bunyun, corroborated the details of the conflict, stating that the bandits attacked the community, resulting in the deaths of 10 vigilantes who were providing security. He also reported extensive destruction, with many houses set ablaze.
Governor Caleb Muftwang has expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in the state, revealing that bandits have overrun 64 communities. In response, he has established a fact-finding committee tasked with developing lasting solutions to this pressing issue.