By Ayo Kehinde
Border communities in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State are under siege following a deadly ambush by heavily armed gunmen on a joint patrol team, which left no fewer than 20 security personnel and local vigilantes dead.
The attack occurred around 4pm on Friday in the Garga area when a combined patrol team comprising military personnel and local vigilantes, travelling in two vehicles on a routine patrol across Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and neighbouring communities, came under heavy gunfire near Wanka.
A statement jointly signed on Saturday by the Chairman of Kanam Development Association (KADA), Barr. Garba Aliyu, and Secretary, Shehu Kanam, said at least 12 security personnel, including two senior military officers, were killed during the fierce gun battle, while eight vigilante members who had joined the patrol to defend their communities also lost their lives.
The association said although some of the attackers were reportedly neutralised during the exchange, the gunmen later advanced into Kyaram community where they looted property worth millions of naira and rustled a large number of cattle belonging to residents.
KADA described the incident as part of a prolonged wave of insecurity affecting border communities linking Plateau with Taraba and Bauchi states, noting that the areas have experienced repeated attacks involving terrorism, cattle rustling, kidnappings and destruction of property over the past three to four years.
The group expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and condemned what it described as the continued freedom with which terrorists operate in the volatile border corridor. It called on the Kanam Local Government Council, the Plateau State Government and the Federal Government to urgently deploy additional military and security personnel to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka and surrounding communities.
KADA also demanded the establishment of permanent security outposts in the affected border communities to stem the growing insecurity.
“We call for enhanced coordinated operations along the Plateau–Taraba–Bauchi border corridor as well as relief support for victims who have lost their homes, livelihoods and livestock”, the statement said, adding that the affected communities are peaceful and law-abiding citizens whose primary occupations are farming and livestock rearing, stressing that residents only seek a safe environment to live and contribute to national development.
The group also extended its condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the families of the fallen soldiers and vigilantes, and the bereaved communities, urging authorities to treat the crisis as both a national security and humanitarian emergency.
