No fewer than 20 security personnel and local vigilantes have been killed after heavily armed terrorists ambushed a patrol team in the Garga area of Kanam Local Government Area.
The tragic incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Friday when a combined patrol team of military personnel and vigilantes travelling in two vehicles on a routine security operation across Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and neighbouring communities came under heavy attack near Wanka.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the Kanam Development Association (KADA), at least 12 security personnel, including two senior military officers, were killed during the fierce gun battle with the terrorists. Eight members of the local vigilante group who had joined the patrol to help protect their communities were also confirmed dead.
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The attackers were said to have suffered casualties during the exchange of gunfire, but they later advanced into Kyaram community where they reportedly looted property worth millions of naira and rustled a large number of cattle belonging to residents.
The association described the attack as part of a prolonged wave of insecurity that has plagued communities along the border areas connecting Plateau State, Taraba State and Bauchi State for the past three to four years.
In the statement jointly signed by KADA chairman, Barr. Garba Aliyu, and secretary, Shehu Kanam, the group expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and condemned what it described as the continued freedom with which terrorists operate within the volatile border corridor.
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The association called on the local government authorities, the Plateau State Government and the Federal Government to urgently intervene to restore security in the region.
KADA specifically demanded the immediate deployment of additional military and security forces to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka and other surrounding communities, as well as the establishment of permanent security outposts across the troubled border areas.
It also urged security agencies to intensify coordinated operations along the Plateau–Taraba–Bauchi border while providing relief support for victims who have lost their homes, livelihoods and livestock in the attacks.
The group stressed that residents of the affected communities are law-abiding citizens who simply want to farm, raise families and contribute to national development.
KADA extended its condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the families of the fallen soldiers and vigilantes, and the grieving communities, urging authorities to treat the crisis as a national security and humanitarian emergency.
