Bandits kill over 40 people, raze several homes in Plateau community

Tragedy struck again in Plateau State as bandits in large numbers swooped on a community in the Wase local government area of the state, killing more than 40 people and leaving many others injured, while several houses were equally burned.

Tribune Online learned that bandits armed with sophisticated weapons at about 7:00 p.m. on Monday attacked Zurak village on motorcycles and opened fire on everyone on site.

An eyewitness, Abdullahi Musa, who escaped the attack narrated that the attack was unexpected, adding that the vigilantes in the community who tried to wade off the attack were subdued by the superior force of the marauders.

“The attack came to us as a surprise because we have no issue with them. They came in large numbers and opened fire on the residents at random, killing more than 40 people. The majority of those killed were vigilantes.

“Several houses were equally burned in the course of the deadly operation. We could not alert security agencies on time because of a bad communication network, so it took several hours before they could come to our aid.”

The attack lasted for more than an hour with some residents of the community, mostly women, injured and receiving treatment at the nearby hospital.

However, a youth leader in the area, Mallam Sahpi’i Sambo, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits arrived at the community on motorcycles and killed more than 40 people, leaving many others injured.

It was also learned that the community is now deserted, as the inhabitants have run for cover in the neighboring communities and the capital of the local government area.

The spokesman of the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, could not be reached for comment on the issue.

Details later.