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 in a statement issued on Saturday in Dengi, the headquarters of the local government area.
The statement, signed by the association’s Secretary, ND Shehu Kanam, and Chairman, Garba G. Aliyu, said those killed included 12 security personnel—among them two senior military officers—and eight vigilante members who had been supporting security forces in protecting the communities.
According to the association, the patrol team, comprising military personnel and local vigilantes, was travelling in two vehicles on a routine security operation across the communities of Garga, Kyaram and Gyambau when they were ambushed by hundreds of armed bandits while heading to Wanka at about 2:00 p.m. on Friday.
“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 read.
The association described the deaths as “deeply painful and unacceptable”, noting that the operatives lost their lives while defending rural communities that have endured repeated attacks.
It further stated that after the ambush, the bandits reportedly invaded Kyaram community, looting property worth millions of naira and rustling a large number of cattle belonging to residents.
The association warned that the attack reflects a broader security crisis affecting communities around Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and other settlements located along the borders of Taraba State and Bauchi State. According to the group, these areas have experienced frequent attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling for the past three to four years.
The organisation lamented that despite repeated appeals to authorities over the worsening security situation, the violence has continued to escalate.
It therefore called on the local, state and federal governments to urgently intervene to prevent further loss of lives in the affected communities.
Among its requests, the association urged the immediate deployment of additional military and security personnel to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka and neighbouring communities, alongside the establishment of a permanent security presence in the border areas.
The group also called for coordinated security operations along the Plateau–Taraba–Bauchi border corridor, which it said bandits often exploit due to the difficult terrain.
Additionally, it appealed for relief support for residents who have reportedly lost homes, livestock and other means of livelihood as a result of 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 added.
Attempts to obtain official confirmation from security authorities were unsuccessful, as both the military and the Nigeria Police Force had not responded to calls and messages seeking clarification as of the time of filing this report.
The association also expressed condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the families of the deceased soldiers and vigilantes, and the affected communities, stating that their sacrifice would not be forgotten.