At least six persons — including one soldier and five local residents — were killed on Monday in a deadly rampage by suspected bandits in Zurak and Sabon Gari communities in the Bashar district of Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State.
According to eyewitnesses and community leaders, the attackers struck around 3:00–4:00 pm, overwhelming small detachments of troops stationed to protect the area from recurring cases of banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery that have plagued the region for years.
Residents said the assailants first burnt several houses and looted shops in Sabon Gari before moving on to attack the military checkpoint in Zurak, where most of the casualties occurred.
A youth leader in the area, Shapi’i Sambo, told reporters the death toll included a soldier whose remains were conveyed to Jos on Tuesday, while several others are still unaccounted for amid ongoing rescue efforts.
Local resident Jibrin Isa described the assault as devastating, adding that Zurak has since been effectively deserted as terrified villagers fled to neighbouring communities to seek safety.
Military sources confirmed that troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) engaged the attackers after receiving advance intelligence of a large bandit mobilisation, reportedly involving up to 200 motorcycles.
The armed forces said they returned fire in both Sabon Gari and Zurak, neutralising several bandits and confiscating weapons, though they acknowledged the loss of a corporal during the confrontation. Additionally, two soldiers were initially declared missing, triggering ongoing search and rescue operations.
Wase LGA communities have endured repeated attacks, including a major abduction incident in December 2025, when about 28 travellers were kidnapped while on their way to a Maulud celebration in neighbouring Sabon Layi.
The latest violence underscores persistent insecurity in Plateau’s rural hinterlands, where armed groups have exploited dense forests and porous terrain to mount attacks on civilians and security personnel alike.
Plateau Governor in the United States
Meanwhile, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Governor of Plateau State, was in the United States this week on a strategic economic and bilateral trade mission aimed at attracting investment and strengthening cooperation on development and security initiatives.
Governor Mutfwang’s itinerary included engagements with senior officials from the U.S. State Department, the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the U.S. Export–Import Bank (EXIM). He also met with U.S. Congressman Riley Moore to discuss deepening ties on economic, security and governance challenges affecting Plateau State and Nigeria at large.
In remarks shared on social media by Congressman Moore, the U.S. lawmaker lauded the governor’s leadership, commending his efforts to protect vulnerable populations and enhance security in Plateau’s troubled Middle Belt.
The spike in attacks comes amid growing pressure on government authorities to accelerate security reforms and improve rural protection strategies. Analysts say the governor’s absence during a critical security incident could fuel debate over leadership priorities, especially as displaced communities seek urgent assistance and reassurance.
Officials from the Nigerian Army and joint security task forces said they are intensifying operations to clamp down on criminal hideouts and disrupt bandit mobility corridors in the Wase area.
