Suspected terrorists have killed at least 20 security personnel and local vigilantes in an attack in the Garga area of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident reportedly occurred around 4 p.m. on Friday when a joint patrol team made up of military personnel and local vigilantes came under heavy gunfire near the Wanka axis.
The patrol team, which was travelling in two vehicles, was said to be conducting routine security checks across Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and other neighbouring communities when the attackers ambushed them.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Kanam Development Association confirmed that about 12 security personnel, including two senior military officers, lost their lives during the intense gun battle.
The group also said eight members of the local vigilante group who joined forces with the security personnel to protect their communities were also killed in the attack.
Although some of the attackers were reportedly neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, the assailants later moved into the Kyaram community where they allegedly looted property worth millions of naira and rustled a large number of cattle belonging to residents.
The association described the attack as part of the prolonged insecurity affecting communities located along the borders linking Plateau with Taraba State and Bauchi State.
According to the group, the affected areas have faced repeated incidents of terrorism, cattle rustling, kidnappings and destruction of property over the past three to four years despite several appeals for stronger security presence.
The statement, jointly signed by the chairman of the association, Garba Aliyu, and its secretary, Shehu Kanam, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and condemned the continued attacks on the communities.
They called on the Plateau State Government, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the local government authorities to urgently intervene in the security situation.
The association also demanded the deployment of additional security personnel to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka and other surrounding communities, as well as the establishment of permanent security outposts in the affected border areas.
They further urged authorities to intensify coordinated security operations along the Plateau–Taraba–Bauchi border corridor and provide relief support to victims who have lost homes, livelihoods and livestock due to the attacks.
The group noted that residents of the affected communities are law-abiding citizens who simply want to farm, raise their families and contribute to national development.
Last year, Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency on security in an effort to curb rising criminal activities across the country. However, armed groups and terrorists have continued to carry out attacks in several parts of Nigeria.
