Over 70 vigilantes lost their lives in a sudden ambush near Kukawa, Plateau State Monday.
The armed attackers struck as the group approached a known forest zone linked to bandits.
More than 70 members of a local vigilante group lost their lives on Monday after armed bandits launched a deadly ambush in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State. The attack took place near Kukawa and Bunyun villages as the vigilantes were on a mission to uncover suspected criminal hideouts.
Aliyu Baffa, who leads the vigilante unit in Kukawa, confirmed the tragic incident. According to him, the vigilantes were drawn from different groups within Wase LGA and were heading towards a forested area when the bandits struck unexpectedly.
“We were ambushed just a kilometer away from Kukawa town, as we were heading to a bandits’ hideout inside the government forest known as Madam Forest, which borders Bauchi and Taraba States,” Baffa said.
He explained that the attackers, armed with advanced firearms, caught the team off guard and opened fire, killing more than 70 members instantly.
By evening, a mass burial had been carried out in Kukawa for the deceased. However, Baffa expressed concern that the death toll might rise, as many members of his team were still missing. “We have buried more than 70 in Kukawa alone but it is likely that more bodies could be recovered from either side. Our men were overwhelmed by the bandits who carried superior weapons,” he said.
In Bunyun village, Musa Ibrahim, a resident, also confirmed the attack. He said 10 vigilante members providing security in the area were killed, and several houses were set ablaze by the bandits.
The incident has left the affected communities in mourning, with calls for stronger security measures.
