5 Residents, 1 Soldier Allegedly Killed By Bandits In Plateau Community

Five residents and one soldier were allegedly killed in a daytime attack by suspected bandits in the Zurak community, Bashar district of Wase local government area of Plateau state.

According to impeccable sources,  three soldiers are missing in a gun battle with the bandits, stressing that the soldiers were among those providing security for the community against incessant bandit attacks in the area.

LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that the bandits had earlier burnt down several houses in the Sabon Gari community of the same Bashar district.

Meanwhile, a youth leader in Wase LGA, Shapi’i Sambo, confirmed the two attacks to newsmen on Tuesday, adding that the body of the military officer had been moved to Jos on Tuesday morning.

Similarly, Jibrin Isa, a resident of the Zak community, also confirmed the incident, explaining that the bandits attacked the two communities in their numbers, making it very difficult to be confronted by security guards stationed in the areas.

In his words, “The incident happened around 3 p.m., and the assailants first attacked the military checkpoint situated in Sabon Gari before moving to the commercial area of the community where they looted almost all the shops and took away food items and other valuable things.”

Explaining further, Jibrin said, “After attacking Sabon Gari, the bandits later moved to Zurak, where they first attacked the military checkpoint. During the attack in Zurak, they killed five residents and one soldier. Three soldiers are still missing.”

Jibrin, who described the attack as devastating, revealed that the Zurak community is currently deserted following the incident, as residents have fled to neighbouring villages for fear of the unknown.

The Media Information Officer, Operation Enduring Peace, Captain JA John, said he would investigate the incident and revert. He has not called back at press time.

LEADERSHIP reports that villages in Wase LGA have been suffering from bandit and kidnapping attacks for years, resulting in the death of many people.

It will be recalled that on December 21, 2025, about 28 travellers from the Zak community were abducted while on their way to attend Maulud in the Sabon Layi community in the Bashar district.