Terrorists ambush patrol team in Plateau, kill 20 security operatives

At least 20 security operatives and local vigilantes have been killed after heavily armed terrorists ambushed a patrol team in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

 

The attack occurred around 4 p.m. on Friday in the Garga area, when a combined patrol team of military personnel and vigilantes travelling in two vehicles came under heavy gunfire near Wanka community.

 

The team was reportedly on a routine security patrol across Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and neighbouring communities when the ambush happened.

 

According to a statement issued 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.

 

The association added that eight members of a local vigilante group who joined the patrol team in defending the communities were also killed.

 

While some of the attackers were reportedly neutralised during the exchange, the terrorists later invaded Kyaram community, where they allegedly looted property worth millions of naira and rustled a large number of cattle.

 

The association described the attack as part of a prolonged wave of insecurity affecting border communities linking Plateau, Taraba and Bauchi states.

 

In a statement jointly signed by Barrister Garba Aliyu (Chairman) and Shehu Kanam (Secretary), the group lamented that the affected communities had suffered years of terrorism, cattle rustling, kidnappings and destruction of property despite repeated appeals for government intervention.

 

The association called on the Federal Government, Plateau State Government and the Kanam Local Government Council to urgently strengthen security in the area.

 

It demanded the immediate deployment of additional military and security personnel to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka and surrounding communities, as well as the establishment of permanent security outposts in the region.

 

The group also urged authorities to intensify coordinated security operations along the Plateau–Taraba–Bauchi border corridor and provide relief support for victims who have lost homes, livelihoods and livestock.

 

KADA expressed condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces, families of the slain soldiers and vigilantes, and the affected communities, urging the government to treat the crisis as both a national security and humanitarian emergency.