Two soldiers and two members of vigilantes were allegedly killed in an ambush by bandits yesterday afternoon in Dogon Ruwa community of Bashar district, Wase local government area of Plateau State.
Some residents of the community, said the bandits took away the rifles of the soldiers.
They told newsmen in Jos that the incident occurred at 1 a.m. when the soldiers and the vigilantes were trailing behind the bandits after an attempted attack in the area.
Besides, a traditional leader of the community, Safiyo Abdullahi Yakuku, under whose supervision Dogon Ruwa falls, confirmed the incident to journalists.
He condemned the attack, adding that the victims were taken unaware.
The traditional leader also said, “There was a report that the bandits were coming to attack Dogon Ruwa, and people quickly alerted security forces, who quickly mobilised and moved to where they were said to have been sited.
“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 “the bandits, after killing the security personnel, 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.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, OPSH Major Samson Zhakom, has not responded to calls or SMS sent to him by our correspondent regarding the incident at press time.
LEADERSHIP reports that communities of Wase have been experiencing bandit attacks resulting in the deaths of many people and destruction of property.
