Over 40 persons have been reportedly killed by suspected bandits who attacked Zurak village in Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

It was reported that that the armed men at 7 p.m., invaded the Zurak community when people in the community were about to retire after their normal daily activities per Vanguard.

Although, the Transition Committee Chairman of Wase, Hamisu Anani, could not be reached on his phone number, a youth in the community named Aminu Dahiru, stated that he heard that the incident occurred around 6 p.m., on Monday when people were running away from Zurak to other communities.

“Tension started building from Sunday when some vigilantes, who sense imminent danger in the community went to the camp of the bandits. On Monday evening, the bandits came in their numbers on motorcycles, shooting and burning houses.”

Another resident of the community, Hamisu Bashar, said: “No fewer than 46 dead bodies have been recovered so far, these are not only the people of Wase but some people who came from Kanan Local Government Area to farm were also affected. We are tired of this kind of situation.”

The Spokesman of the state Police Command, Alfred Alabo, commenting on the issue said: “Sequel to the aggressive onslaught against bandits by a combined team of DSS and other security operatives in Bangalala forest, Wase LGA of Plateau State, a border between Plateau, Bauchi and Taraba states, seven bandits have been neutralise in the area.

“Other bandits who fled during the operation attacked Zurak and Dakai villages, killed nine persons and burnt down six houses while on the run.

“The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command has made more deployment to the area and has directed the Area Commander of Langtang to relocate his base to Wase LGA with immediate effect.

It was also reported that one of the bandits who escaped and went to seek treatment at a hospital in Wase was arrested with gunshot wounds have been arrested and transferred to the
State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation.