No fewer than 18 bandits were killed during a raid by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police and vigilante groups in Zurak Campani of Wase local government area of Plateau state, on Monday.
According to sources from the area, the bandits were killed alongside their informants whom the community felt had betrayed them.
The latest incident occurred two weeks after bandits attacked a market in the same Zurak Campani, killing seven people.
A youth leader in Wase, Shafi’i Sambo, confirmed the incident, stating that the criminals were killed in a combined operation involving the DSS, Police, and vigilantes, who tracked the bandits to their hideout.
He explained that the bandits were attacked while holding a meeting there.
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The youth leader said, “The incident occurred around 11 a.m. while they were holding a meeting in the area. It was a coordinated effort by police, DSS and vigilantes from Wase and neighboring communities of Taraba state.”
Another youth leader, Abdullahi Usman, who also confirmed the incident, said, “The bandits gathered in one place when suddenly, the security personnel and the vigilantes stormed the area. They had been targeted since after the recent attack on the market in the area. Based on credible information, they were confronted at one location. Their accomplices were also tracked down and killed.”
When contacted the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Alabo Alfred, neither answered calls nor respond to SMS sent to him by our correspondent.
