Soldiers storm bandit hideout, kill three in Plateau raid

DDM News

In a renewed effort to dismantle criminal gangs and restore lasting peace in Plateau State, Nigerian military troops have neutralized three armed bandits during a well-coordinated operation in Wase Local Government Area.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the raid was carried out by Operation Safe Haven, a joint security task force comprising army personnel and other security agencies under the command of the Nigerian Army’s 3rd Division.

The operation targeted hideouts in the outskirts of Pinau Village, a community that has witnessed repeated bandit invasions and violent crimes in recent years.

According to the task force’s spokesperson, Major Samson Zhakom, the operation was based on credible intelligence that indicated the presence of criminal elements terrorizing the region.

“During the operation, troops made contact with criminal elements terrorising the general area,” Zhakom stated.

The soldiers launched a surprise assault in the early hours of the morning, engaging the bandits in a short but intense gunfight.

The troops’ superior firepower and tactical advantage quickly overwhelmed the criminals.

Three of the armed bandits were killed on the spot.

However, blood trails along nearby escape routes suggest that more assailants may have been injured and fled the scene.

In response, the army has intensified patrols and tracking operations to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects hiding in the surrounding forested areas.

One AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine, typically used by local criminal gangs, were recovered from the scene.

These items are being held for forensic analysis and intelligence-gathering to further assist in dismantling the wider network of bandit operations in the area.

Operation Safe Haven has been instrumental in tackling armed violence in Plateau and surrounding states, including Kaduna and Bauchi.

The region has suffered from a combination of farmer-herder clashes, sectarian conflicts, and banditry.

Wase Local Government, in particular, has become a flashpoint for frequent attacks targeting residents, farmlands, and local infrastructure.

The recent success, military authorities say, is part of a broader counter-insurgency strategy designed to rid the region of criminal activity and restore public confidence.

Major Zhakom emphasized that the military remains resolute in its commitment to protect civilians and secure communities across Plateau State.

He further noted that the troops’ morale remains high and that more aggressive operations will be launched in the coming days to disrupt and eliminate remaining threats.

The Nigerian Army has urged residents to continue cooperating with security forces by providing timely information on suspicious activities, assuring them of confidentiality and immediate action.

This latest offensive adds to a growing list of successful engagements by Operation Safe Haven as the military intensifies efforts to bring normalcy to Plateau and neighboring areas.

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