At least four people, including a soldier and three suspected bandits, have been killed in a coordinated attack on Sabon Gari and Zurak communities in Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State.
Two soldiers have also been declared missing following the assault.
Military sources confirmed that troops from Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) successfully thwarted the attack after receiving intelligence about a planned assault on Kampani community, with armed bandits reportedly mobilizing about 200 motorcycles.
In response, the troops were put on red alert to prevent the invasion.
“At about 1703 hours, the bandits moved towards Sabon Gari and fired sporadically, which prompted troops to mobilize and confront them,” a source said.
The attackers regrouped in large numbers, launching a second offensive on Zurak while troops were conducting clearance operations in Sabon Gari.
The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the bandits to retreat with casualties.
“During the firefight, troops neutralized three bandits and recovered two motorcycles, two AK-47 magazines, and 13 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition,” the source added. “The bandits were also seen evacuating their casualties across the river line at Zurak.”
However, in the exchange of gunfire, Corporal Oladipo Adekunle, with service number 13NA/69/2241, was killed in action. His rifle and a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tube were reportedly taken by the fleeing attackers.
Two other soldiers, Trooper Aminu Rasheed and Private Aliu Yakubu, were declared missing in action.
The military source confirmed that search and rescue operations are underway to recover the missing soldiers and other personnel. Plans have also been made to evacuate Corporal Adekunle’s remains to a morgue on February 3, 2026.
This attack is part of a broader, troubling pattern where armed groups launch simultaneous strikes on multiple locations to distract security forces and conceal their main objectives.
Intelligence suggests that criminal elements displaced from other conflict zones may be relocating to the forests across Wase in Plateau State, as well as to neighboring Alkaleri and Karim Lamido Local Government Areas in Bauchi and Taraba states.
“The attack on troops from multiple fronts highlights the emerging trend of threat elements advancing toward multiple targets and conducting feint operations to conceal their real objectives,” the source noted.
“Troops from Operation Enduring Peace, in conjunction with 33 Brigade and Operation Whirl Stroke, will conduct offensive operations in suspected bandit hideouts in the coming days to deny them freedom of movement.”
