Some soldiers and vigilantes were killed on Friday during clearance operations by troops of Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) within Wase and Kanam Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State, around the volatile border area linking Plateau, Bauchi and Taraba States.
A source said that the troops engaged the terrorists in the border areas they often exploit, inflicting heavy casualty on them, including the drastic degrading of their “logistics capabilities as well as destruction of most of the identified enclaves within Dadda, Wanka, Kyaram, Dungur and Kukawa villages in Garga district of Kanam Local Government Area.”
Unfortunately, the source noted, “we lost some of our men,” but insisted that none of our deceased soldiers were beheaded or amputated as contained in some viral blogs.”
According to the source, “what happened yesterday (Friday) was quite unfortunate, While we were conducting our clearance operations within Wase and Kanam Local Government Areas of Plateau State, around the volatile border area linking Plateau, Bauchi and Taraba States where the terrorists often exploit, we encountered the terrorists and inflicted heavy casualty on them. We also drastically degraded their logistics capabilities as well as destruction of most of the identified terror enclaves within Dadda, Wanka, Kyaram, Dungur and Kukawa villages in Garga district of Kanam Local Government Area.
“Regrettably, we lost some of our men. Contrary to speculations, none of our deceased soldiers were beheaded or amputated as contained in some viral blogs. We will continue with our operations as the villagers are very happy with the successes achieved since the commencement of the operation.”
Residents of the area said that the incident occurred around 5:30 pm, on Friday when the terrorists invaded the area, especially the Wanka community, Keram district of Kanam LGA of Plateau Stateshooting sporadically.
Gambo Musa, a resident, had earlier told Daily Trust that “the residents of the attacked community had been living with bandits for some time. The bandits virtually control the area because they used to come and do whatever they like and leave without pursuing the residents out of the community.
“So, on Friday morning, security personnel under the command of two captains stormed the community, engaged the bandits, and killed several of them while others fled. Hours after the incident, and even before the soldiers left, the bandits regrouped from the nearby bushes, attacked and engaged the soldiers and the vigilantes working with the security, leading to casualties from both sides. Many bandits have also lost their lives.”
Ibrahim Ubale, another resident of the area, described the attack as terrible, explaining that “the bandits were well equipped, giving them the opportunity to confront the security personnel and the vigilantes. The engagement lasted for several minutes. But we are yet to ascertain if other residents were affected.”
Last month, the Nigerian Army had deployed 300 soldiers to the area to counter bandit attacks, kidnappings, and other criminal activities in the areas.
