At least four people were reportedly killed in a clash between a local vigilante group and bandits in Dogon Ruwa, a community in the Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State,leadership reports.
For the past two years, Wase villages have endured repeated bandit attacks, resulting in numerous killings, kidnappings, and the theft of hundreds of cattle.
Abdullahi Shu’aibu, a youth leader and member of the vigilante group, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
“The bandits came to the community intending to kidnap residents. They parked their motorcycles near the village, but we had been tipped off about their plans,” Shu’aibu explained.
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He recounted that the bandits entered houses, selecting people for abduction, unaware that vigilantes were stationed near their motorcycles. “As they tried to escape with the captives, the vigilantes confronted them, killing three of the bandits, although we also lost one vigilante member,” he added.
Shu’aibu noted that the frequent attacks and cattle rustling have driven many residents from surrounding communities to seek refuge in Wase town. He shared that herders continue to arrive in Wase with their cattle from neighboring areas for safety. “Some displaced residents are staying in Wase, while others have moved elsewhere out of fear,” he said.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, had not responded to LEADERSHIP’s inquiry at the time of filing this report.
