Over 70 Security Volunteers Killed in Plateau State Bandit Ambush
Reports from earlier in July 2025 confirmed a horrific ambush in Plateau State, Nigeria, where at least 70 community security volunteers were killed by bandits. This devastating incident starkly highlights the escalating insecurity in Nigeria's North-Central region, particularly the devastating impact of rampant banditry.
Here's a more detailed account:
The Incident:
Date: The ambush reportedly occurred on Monday, July 8, 2025.
Location: The attack took place near the Kukawa and Bunyun communities in the Kanam Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State. The specific area was close to Odare Forest and the Madam Forest, known hideouts for heavily armed bandits, bordering Bauchi and Taraba States.
Victims: The casualties were members of various vigilante groups and community security volunteers, including teams from Wase LGA. These volunteers typically comprise local youths and hunters who take up arms to defend their communities, often due to a perceived lack of adequate protection from conventional security forces.
Circumstances: The vigilante teams were reportedly on their way to identify or confront bandits' hideouts when they inadvertently walked into a sophisticated ambush set by the well-armed criminals. The bandits, possessing superior weaponry, opened fire on the unsuspecting volunteers, resulting in heavy casualties. Military reports later suggested that some of these vigilante groups had embarked on "unauthorised operations" without coordinating with official security forces, and in some instances, allegedly engaged in confrontations with local residents or looted shops before the ambush occurred.
Casualty Figures and Discrepancies:
Local Reports: Aliyu Baffa, the Chairman of the vigilante group in Kukawa, confirmed the incident, stating that over 70 members were killed on the spot. He reported that more than 60 bodies were buried in a mass grave in Kukawa alone, with fears that more bodies could still be in the bushes as many members remained missing and unaccounted for. A resident of Bunyun village, Musa Ibrahim, also corroborated the incident, stating that 10 vigilante members were killed in his community and several houses were razed.
Military Figures: While local accounts and some media outlets widely reported figures of "at least 70," the military (specifically Operation Safe Haven - OPSH) put its initial confirmed casualty figure at a lower number (e.g., eight fatalities), while admitting many others were missing. This discrepancy between official military figures and local reports is common in such incidents in Nigeria, with official figures often lower than those reported by affected communities and civil society organizations.
Context of Insecurity in Plateau State:
Persistent Conflict: Plateau State, particularly its southern and central zones, has been a persistent hotspot for violence, frequently characterized by farmer-herder clashes, ethnic-religious conflicts, and the growing menace of banditry.
Escalating Banditry: Banditry, which involves heavily armed criminal gangs engaged in kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling, village raids, and mass killings, has escalated to become a major security threat across North-West and North-Central Nigeria.
Vulnerability of Vigilantes: The incident tragically underscores the severe dangers faced by local vigilante groups. While they often serve as the primary line of defense for their communities, they are frequently outmatched and outgunned by the well-armed and organized bandit groups. This has led to renewed calls for proper training, equipping, and effective regulation of these community self-defense outfits.
Government Response Challenges: The Nigerian government and military have faced significant criticism for their perceived inability to effectively curb banditry. Despite ongoing military operations, attacks persist, leading to widespread displacement, loss of livelihoods, and a general atmosphere of fear. Recent reports from July 2025 also indicate that the Plateau State Government has expressed frustration with the military's response to attacks and has called for the deployment of mobile police instead of military personnel in some flashpoints. The Plateau State House of Assembly is reportedly seeking collaboration with the military to find "enduring solutions" to the insecurity.
This ambush in Plateau State is a grim illustration of the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria and the tragic human cost borne by communities and their self-appointed defenders.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
