Clash near Kukawa and Bunyun exposes worsening insecurity as residents bury victims and homes are set ablaze
No fewer than 70 local vigilantes have reportedly been killed in a brutal ambush by armed bandits in Kukawa and Bunyun communities of Kanam Local Government Area, Plateau State.
The deadly incident occurred on Tuesday around 2pm when hundreds of vigilantes from nearby Wase LGA were ambushed on their way to confront bandits hiding in the Government Forest Reserve, which borders Bauchi and Taraba States.
Chairman of the vigilante group in Kukawa, Aliyu Baffa, told journalists that more than 60 bodies had already been buried, and more were likely to be discovered in surrounding farmlands and bushes.
“We have buried over 60 of the 70 bodies in Kukawa alone. Some who escaped said they were overwhelmed,” Baffa said.
According to Baffa, the attack took place just one kilometre from Kukawa town, suggesting the bandits had prior knowledge of the vigilantes’ movements.
Homes Burned, More Killed in Bunyun
A resident of Bunyun community, Musa Ibrahim, confirmed that 10 additional vigilantes were killed as the bandits stormed the village, setting homes ablaze and destroying property.
“They killed 10 vigilantes who were providing security and burned many houses in Bunyun,” Ibrahim reported.
The incident has further exposed the deteriorating security situation in Plateau State, where Governor Caleb Muftwang recently revealed that over 64 communities have been taken over by bandits.
Governor Sets Up Emergency Committee
In response to the rising insecurity, Governor Muftwang has set up a fact-finding committee to investigate and recommend lasting solutions to the violence plaguing Plateau communities.
The governor, who has consistently raised alarm over the growing threat of armed groups in the region, has called for urgent federal intervention to protect lives and restore peace.
Security experts have warned that unless the government strengthens local defense structures and accelerates security sector reforms, communities may remain vulnerable to such large-scale attacks.
