70 Killed in Bandit Attack in North-Central Nigeria

Kokcha News Agency: In a brutal attack on Monday, bandits ambushed local vigilantes in the Kanam local government area of Plateau state, north-central Nigeria, killing at least 70 people and injuring many others. The attack also resulted in the destruction of numerous homes, leaving many residents displaced.

According to local media reports, most of the victims were vigilantes who had been invited from various communities to help combat the persistent threat posed by bandits in the region. Aliyu Baffa, chairman of the vigilance group in the affected area, stated that the bandits ambushed the vigilantes as they were heading to the bandits’ hideout in the government reserve forest, known locally as Madam Forest.

“We have buried more than 60 people, and no fewer than 70 were killed. Some vigilantes who escaped confirmed that they were overwhelmed by the bandits,” Baffa told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.

Residents who spoke with Anadolu Agency reported that many have been displaced as a result of the attack. “The bandits killed vigilantes who were securing us, so we had no choice but to vacate the community. They burnt our houses and rendered us homeless. Some of the people killed were buried this morning,” said Kazeeem Muhammad, a resident who fled from Plateau to Taraba state on Monday.

Shapi’i Sambo, a youth leader in the affected area, said efforts are ongoing to determine the exact number of casualties.

As of Tuesday, nearly 24 hours after the attack, the police had yet to issue an official statement. Alabo Alfred, spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, did not respond to inquiries from Anadolu Agency.

Banditry remains a significant security challenge in Nigeria, particularly in the northwest and north-central regions. These armed groups are notorious for their brutality, frequently attacking villages, kidnapping residents for ransom, and looting property.

Despite President Bola Tinubu’s firm stance against bandits and terrorists, these groups continue to wreak havoc, highlighting the ongoing security crisis in the country.