Bandits on Tuesday afternoon ambushed soldiers and vigilantes around Dogon Ruwa community of Bashar district of Wase local government area of the Plateau, killing at least two soldiers and two other vigilantes.
Residents of the community said the bandits also took away rifles of the soldiers.
The residents told Daily Trust that the incident occurred around 1 a.m when the soldiers and the vigilantes were trailing the bandits after an attempted attack in the area.
Traditional leader of the Safiyo, Abdullahi Yakuku, under whose supervision Dogon Ruwa falls, confirmed the incident to Daily. While condemning the attack, the traditional leader said the victims were taken unaware.
The traditional leader said, “There was a report that the bandits were coming to attack Dogon Ruwa, and people quickly alerted security forces who quickly mobilized and moved to where they were said to have been sighted.
“While on their way to the area, unknown to the security, the bandits had laid an ambush and opened fire at them, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and two vigilantes, “ Yakubu said.
Another resident of the community, Ibrahim Sale, while commenting on the development, told our correspondent that “after killing the security personnel, the bandits also took away the rifles and uniforms of the soldiers.”
Sale added that the incident has caused confusion and resentment among the residents of Dogon Ruwa and other surrounding communities.
Spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, has not responded to an SMS by our correspondent regarding the incident as of press time.
Our correspondent reports that communities of Wase have been experiencing bandit attacks, resulting in the deaths and destruction of property.
