Casualties recorded as soldiers and bandits engage in a fierce gun battle in Wanka community, Kanam LGA of Plateau State.

Three soldiers and seven vigilantes have been killed in Wanka community, Keram district of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State following a gun battle with bandits.

Residents told Daily Trust that the incident occurred around 5:30 pm on Friday when bandits reportedly invaded the village and began shooting sporadically.
The residents added that several bandits also lost their lives during the confrontation.
A resident, Gambo Musa, told Daily Trust that two Army captains were among those killed.
Narrating the incident, Musa said the community had been living under the influence of bandits for some time.
“The residents of the attacked community had been living with bandits for some time. The bandits virtually control the area because they used to come and do whatever they like and leave without pursuing the residents out of the community.
“So, on Friday morning, security personnel under the command of two captains stormed the community, engaged the bandits, and killed several of them while others fled. Hours after the incident, and even before the soldiers left, the bandits regrouped from the nearby bushes, attacked and engaged the soldiers and the vigilantes working with the security, leading to casualties from both sides. Many bandits have also lost their lives,” Musa said.
Another resident, Ibrahim Ubale, described the attack as terrible, explaining that the bandits were heavily armed.
“The bandits were well equipped, giving them the opportunity to confront the security personnel and the vigilantes. The engagement lasted for several minutes, but we are yet to ascertain if other residents were affected,” he said.
When contacted, the spokesperson of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycap Oteh, did not respond to calls or SMS from our correspondent as of press time.
Our correspondent reports that several villages in Wase and Kanam, which share a border, have repeatedly witnessed bandit attacks.
Last month, the Nigerian Army deployed about 300 soldiers to the area to counter banditry, kidnappings and other criminal activities. (Weekend Trust)