Fresh violence linked to Plateau banditry has thrown Zurak and Sabon Gari communities in Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area into chaos, following coordinated daytime attacks by suspected bandits that claimed multiple lives and displaced hundreds of residents.
The attacks, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, reportedly began with an assault on military checkpoints stationed to protect vulnerable communities that have suffered repeated security breaches in recent months.
Residents said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, overwhelming security forces and creating panic across the district.
Local sources confirmed that at least five civilians and one soldier lost their lives during the violence, while three soldiers remain missing after a prolonged exchange of gunfire with the attackers.
The missing personnel were among troops deployed to counter recurring threats associated with Plateau banditry in the area.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that Sabon Gari community was the first target. Armed assailants reportedly stormed the area around 3:00 p.m., launching a surprise attack on a military checkpoint before setting several residential buildings ablaze.
The fire reportedly destroyed personal belongings and forced many residents to flee with little or nothing.
After overpowering the checkpoint, the attackers allegedly moved into the commercial section of Sabon Gari, where they looted shops and carted away food items, cash, and other valuables.
Business owners who escaped described the operation as systematic, suggesting prior knowledge of the terrain.
A resident of Zak community, Jibrin Isa, who confirmed the incident, said the number of attackers made resistance nearly impossible.
He explained that security operatives were outnumbered, allowing the assailants to advance unhindered from one community to another.
Following the raid on Sabon Gari, the attackers reportedly proceeded to Zurak community, where a similar pattern of violence unfolded.
Another military checkpoint was targeted, leading to a fierce confrontation.
It was during this second attack that five residents and one soldier were killed, while three soldiers were declared missing.
The aftermath of the violence has been devastating. Zurak community has been largely abandoned, with families fleeing to neighbouring villages and towns for safety.
Empty homes, deserted streets, and shuttered businesses now define what was once a lively rural settlement.
Community leaders say the displacement has worsened humanitarian conditions in the area, as many of those who fled are now sheltering with relatives or sleeping in open spaces without adequate food or medical care.
They warned that continued Plateau banditry could deepen poverty and destabilise the wider region if urgent action is not taken.
Confirming the attacks, a youth leader in Wase Local Government Area, Shapi’i Sambo, told journalists that the incidents affected multiple communities within the same district on the same day.
He added that the remains of the slain soldier were evacuated to Jos on Tuesday morning for further military procedures.
Sambo described the attacks as a major setback to local peace efforts, noting that residents had begun to regain confidence following recent security deployments.
According to him, the latest incident has reversed that progress, reigniting fear among villagers who now doubt the effectiveness of current security measures.
Security analysts note that the resurgence of Plateau banditry reflects broader challenges facing rural communities, including difficult terrain, limited intelligence gathering, and stretched security resources.
They argue that without sustained surveillance and community engagement, armed groups will continue to exploit gaps in protection.
When contacted for an official response, the Media Information Officer of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain J.A. John, stated that the military was aware of the reports and would investigate the incident.
He promised to provide an update after verifying details from field commanders. As of press time, no further information had been released.
Residents and civil society groups have called on the Plateau State and federal governments to reinforce security in Wase LGA and neighbouring areas, warning that failure to act decisively could embolden criminal elements.
They stressed that addressing Plateau banditry requires not only military action but also intelligence-led policing and support for affected communities.
As families continue to mourn the dead and search for the missing, uncertainty hangs over Bashar District.
For many residents, the pressing question remains whether it is safe to return home or whether the cycle of violence will strike again.
Ireport247news
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