Three Soldiers, 15 Bandits Killed as Troops Take Battle to Bandits’ Den

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Soldiers attached to Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State on Tuesday night killed over 15 bandits as its troops swooped on bandits in their den at Gudiri of Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred after corpse of a police officer, who was earlier abducted by the bandits at Kampani was found in a nearby bush by the soldiers.

The bandits had been terrorising the area since the beginning of the year, with their latest victim being the Police officer.

On May 21 this year, the bandits had attacked Zurak community killing over 40 villagers and injuring several others including vigilantes supporting the security personnel to secure the area.

A resident of the area, Shapi’i Sambo told newsmen that the soldiers and vigilance in the area on Tuesday night mobilised and took the fight to the bandits, adding that the security personnel successfully dislodged them from their hideout.

Sambo said over 100 cattle that had been rustled by the bandits were recovered after the operation.

Also narrating the incident, a member of the vigilance group, who pleaded anonymity said: “We have just returned from the battle field.” 

“I was among those that went with the soldiers to the area. Three soldiers died, while over 15 bandits were killed in the battle.

“Residents of the community are now happy with the coming security personnel to the area because the bandits were a threat to their lives. They rustled cattle at their will and robbed them of their properties and money.”

Spokesmen of Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom did not respond to calls and text messages sent to him to confirm the incident.