Yesterday, the Kanam Development Association (KADA), a group of individuals from the Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, told how bandits attacked and killed soldiers and vigilantes in the Wanka hamlet of the Kyaram region of the LGA.
The gang reported that eight vigilantes and twelve soldiers died in the ambush.
Reports from Sunday Trust said that bandits attacked soldiers and vigilantes on Friday afternoon, killing some and hurting others.
In a statement signed by the group’s chairman and secretary, Barr. Garba G. Aliyu and ND Shehu Kanam, they gave more information about the incident. It happened when security personnel were on their regular patrols through the communities of Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, and other nearby settlements. They were ambushed on their way to the attacked village.
The group alleged that the security patrol squad was made up of soldiers and local vigilantes who were driving two cars.
“In the sad gunfight that followed the ambush, our country lost gallant defenders who gave their lives in the line of duty.
“A total of fourteen (12) military men, including two high-ranking officers, died. The statement went on to say, “Eight (8) vigilante members who bravely worked to protect their communities also lost their lives.”
The group said that even if some of the robbers were stopped during the fight, losing security officers and community defenders was painful and unforgivable.
However, the group’s leaders alleged, “After the attack, the bandits stormed the Kyaram community and stole millions of naira worth of property, including a lot of cattle that belonged to innocent people.” This makes things even worse for rural communities that are already weak.
“KADA wants to make it clear that this sad event is not an isolated one. The towns and villages around Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, and other nearby settlements lie on the unstable borders between Plateau State, Taraba State, and Bauchi State.
“For more than three to four years, armed bandits have repeatedly attacked these towns, stolen animals, kidnapped people, and destroyed property. They seem to be able to accomplish this with little trouble.
“Over the years, the Kanam Development Association has sent out a number of press releases and letters to the right people, drawing attention to the increasing security situation in these remote areas. Sadly, even though these warnings and appeals were made, the issue has gotten worse than the people in the impacted areas could have imagined.
“KADA urgently urges the Local Government, Plateau State Government, and the Federal Government of Nigeria to step in right away and save these communities from the grip of insecurity.
“We also want more military and security personnel to be sent to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka, and nearby communities right away. We want a permanent security presence in these border communities to stop more attacks and better coordinated security operations along the Plateau, Taraba, and Bauchi border corridor, where bandits take advantage of the rough terrain to do their work,” the group said.
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