Suspected gunmen have abducted three persons, including two palace administrators, and burnt several houses in the Bunyun community, Bashar District in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack, PUNCH Metro gathered, occurred on Wednesday around 7:30 pm, and is believed to be linked to last Sunday’s clash between vigilantes and bandits, which resulted in the deaths of several vigilantes and the destruction of several houses.
The paramount ruler of the community, Abdulbari’u Muhammad, confirmed the latest incident to journalists in Jos on Thursday, stating that the bandits stormed the community in large numbers, riding on motorcycles, and looted valuable items, including food, clothes, and motorcycles.
“We are completely confused and don’t know what to do, which is why we fled to Bashar. Everybody has fled because people are afraid to remain in the area,” Muhammad said.
He identified the abducted palace officials as Waziri and Wakili, his younger brother.
Some villagers said the community had been deserted, with residents fleeing to nearby towns, including Bashar, for safety.
A resident of the area, Abubakar Zubairu, confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro, saying, “The community was deserted on Thursday morning following the Wednesday night attack.”
Muhammad emphasised the need for the government to deploy enough security personnel to the area to enable farmers to continue farming and secure their livelihoods.
“Our crops are already planted, and we are worried about our farms. We need the government to help us with security so that we can go back to our farms and secure our livelihoods,” he said.
The incident highlights the growing insecurity in Plateau communities and the need for urgent government intervention to protect lives and property.
The spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom and his counterpart from the state Police Command, Alabo Alfred, were yet to respond to calls and text messages by our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.
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