Three killed as bandits attack Plateau community, rustle cattle

Three persons have been confirmed dead following a bandit attack on Garga community in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State after gunmen invaded the area, opened fire on residents and rustled cattle.

Buhari Ishaq Tukur, of Concerned Citizens in Kanam Local Government Area, in a statement circulated on several media platforms, said the attack occurred on the evening of Monday and also involved kidnapping that left several families in distress.

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He said casualties were initially reported at the scene but later increased, noting that some victims succumbed to injuries while others are receiving treatment at the General Hospital Dengi and nearby medical facilities.

“This tragic incident has once again highlighted the growing insecurity facing rural communities in the area, particularly the persistent threats of banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling,” the statement said.

He added that the continued attacks are causing loss of lives, displacement of families and destruction of livelihoods across affected communities.

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“We call on security agencies and relevant authorities to urgently intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators, ensure the safe rescue of any kidnapped victims, and provide adequate protection to vulnerable communities to prevent further attacks,” the statement added.

Efforts to get confirmation from security authorities were unsuccessful as Alfred Alabo, Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Police Command, and his counterpart Chinonso Oteh, the spokesperson of Operation Enduring Peace did not respond to text messages sent via the WhatsApp groups they separately created for media communication.