How it happened
On Monday, members of Operation Safe Haven successfully repulsed a gunman attack on the town of Gajin Bashar in Plateau State’s Wase Local Government Area. Residents of the neighborhood informed reporters that they were attacked early on Monday morning. Members of neighborhood vigilante group engaged the gunmen after they entered the area for a while before the troops arrived.
The attackers left as the army arrived in the town, according to Ishaku Takwa, a spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven (OSH) Jos. “We also received reports from the locals that after we repelled the attack, they saw eight dead bodies which our men did not confirm, I called the Commander in the area to confirm, he said the troops did not see any dead body, so we cannot authenticate what we did not see”, Mr. Takwa stressed.
He clarified that Wase LGA is home to four operational locations for their troops. As a result, they cannot leave the area because they are constantly present and have never withdrawn.
Matters arising
In the Plateau and neighboring states, attacks by gunmen locally known as bandits have increased. Residents of Sabon Zama, Gindin Dutse, Anguwan Tsohon Soldier, Anguwan Yuhana, and Anguwan Mangu were recently ordered to leave their homes by the gunmen, who are thought to be associated with Islamist organizations, or face being attacked.
Ado Buba, the head of the Wase Local Government, declined to comment when contacted for a statement because he was in motion.