Bandits Kill 14 Soldiers, 8 Vigilantes in Plateau Ambush

Bandits Ambush Security Patrol in Nigeria’s Plateau State, Killing 22

A bandit ambush on a security patrol in Kanam Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria, resulted in the deaths of 14 soldiers and eight local vigilantes, a community development group has reported.

The attack occurred on Friday in the Wanka community, Kyaram district, according to the Kanam Development Association (KADA), an umbrella body for the region. KADA stated that a combined military and vigilante patrol team, traveling in two vehicles, was ambushed while moving through communities including Garga, Kyaram, and Gyambau. A gunfight ensued, leading to the fatalities.

The group’s chairman and secretary, Barr. Garba G. Aliyu and ND Shehu Kanam, provided details, confirming that two senior military officers were among the slain soldiers. They noted that while some bandits were neutralized in the exchange, the loss of security personnel was a severe blow. The statement added that the bandits also raided Kyaram community, stealing property worth millions of naira and rustling a large number of cattle, deepening hardship for rural residents.

KADA emphasized that this tragedy is part of a persistent pattern. The affected border communities—situated between Plateau, Taraba, and Bauchi states—have endured repeated attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling over the past three to four years. The group claimed it has previously issued statements warning authorities about the deteriorating security situation, to little avail.

In response, KADA has called for immediate government intervention. It demands the deployment of additional security personnel to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka, and surrounding areas, advocating for a permanent security presence. The association also urged enhanced, coordinated operations along the volatile inter-state border corridor, where bandits exploit the rugged terrain.

The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s northwest and north-central regions, where armed groups frequently target rural communities and security forces. It highlights the urgent need for a sustained and coordinated security strategy to protect vulnerable populations and deter outlaw operations across state lines.