No fewer than 20 security operatives and vigilantes were reportedly killed after heavily armed bandits ambushed a joint patrol team in Wanka and nearby communities in the Garga area of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident was disclosed by the Kanam Development Association (KADA) in a statement signed by its Secretary, ND Shehu Kanam, and Chairman, Garba G. Aliyu, in Dengi, the headquarters of Kanam LGA.
According to the association, the victims included 12 security personnel—among them two senior military officers—and eight vigilante members who were assisting security agencies to safeguard the affected communities.
KADA explained that the patrol team, comprising military personnel and local vigilantes, was travelling in two vehicles during a routine security operation across the communities of Garga, Kyaram and Gyambau when they were suddenly ambushed.
The attackers, described as hundreds of heavily armed bandits, reportedly struck while the patrol team was on its 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,” the statement said.
The association described the killings as “deeply painful and unacceptable,” noting that the operatives lost their lives while protecting rural communities that have faced repeated attacks in recent years.
KADA further alleged that after the ambush, the bandits invaded Kyaram community, where they looted property worth millions of naira and rustled a large number of cattle belonging to residents.
The association warned that the latest attack was part of a broader pattern of insecurity affecting communities around Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and neighbouring settlements located along the borders of Plateau, Taraba and Bauchi states.
It noted that the communities have suffered persistent attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling over the past three to four years.
“KADA has repeatedly raised alarm over the deteriorating security situation in the area, but unfortunately the crisis has continued to escalate,” the statement added.
The association called on local, state and federal authorities to urgently intervene to prevent further loss of lives and destruction of property.
Among its demands, KADA urged the immediate deployment of additional military and security personnel to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka and surrounding communities, as well as the establishment of a permanent security presence in the border areas.
The group also advocated coordinated security operations along the Plateau–Taraba–Bauchi border corridor, which it said bandits exploit due to the difficult terrain.
In addition, the association appealed for humanitarian relief for affected residents who have reportedly lost homes, livestock and other sources of livelihood due to the attacks.
“The people of these communities are law-abiding citizens whose only desire is to live peacefully, farm their land, raise their families and contribute to the development of our nation. They cannot and must not be abandoned to the mercy of armed criminals,” the statement said.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation of the incident from security authorities were unsuccessful, as both the military and the police had yet to respond to calls and messages seeking confirmation as of press time.
KADA also extended condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces, families of the fallen soldiers and vigilantes, and the affected communities, noting that their sacrifice would not be forgotten.
