No fewer than seven people were gunned down as bandits launched a deadly attack on a bustling market in Plateau State.
The attack was carried out on Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Zurak Campani, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The assault occurred during the peak of market day, disrupting commercial activities with chaos and bloodshed.
Abdullahi Hussaini, a youth leader in the area, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, reporting that the gunmen made their violent entrance into the market around 2 pm.
Witnesses describe a scene of panic and horror as the bandits opened fire indiscriminately on unsuspecting individuals engaged in their daily transaction.
Authorities in Plateau State are yet to issue an official statement regarding the attack.
He said, “The gunmen arrived at the market in their numbers on motorcycles. They started shooting sporadically, killing seven people instantly while many others were injured. The gunmen successfully launched the attack and fled without any resistance because people were not expecting any security threat at the moment.
“The gunmen fled to the bush, but police personnel have been deployed to the community to restore law and other. We are calling on more security deployment in the area because we don’t know what may happen anytime soon.”
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Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army on Monday said that its troops, in collaboration with hybrid forces, killed eight terrorists during an operation conducted in Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
The Army also said several terrorists fled with gunshot injuries during the gun duel that ensued during the operation.
Troops during a raid on Sambisa forest on March 8, 2024, killed three terrorists and destroyed their hideouts in the forest.
However, in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, five locally fabricated double barrel guns, two motorbikes, and assorted foodstuffs belonging to the terrorists were recovered during the operation.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Army troops in conjunction with hybrid force elements, have successfully neutralised eight Boko Haram / ISWAP terrorists at Ukuba; a notorious terrorists’ enclave in Sambisa Forest. The operation, which took place on Sunday, March 10, 2024, witnessed a fierce gun battle that inflicted severe losses on the terrorist group, compelling them to retreat and abandon their camp in disarray.
“A thorough search of the captured camp by the gallant troops led to the recovery of 5 locally fabricated double barrel guns, 2 motorbikes and assorted foodstuff, belonging to the terrorists”.
Onyema also said that in a similar operation conducted in Katsina, two terrorists were killed.
He said, “In a separate clearance operation on the same day in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, troops cleared Dan Birgima, Ungwan Noma, Katoge, and Pauwa Villages. During the operation, troops gunned down 2 insurgents in combat and recovered 3 AK-47 Rifles, 8 Magazines, 57 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 3 Baofeng Radio sets, 12 Baofeng Radio Chargers and one Bandolier.
“The troops also rescued a civilian, who had been in captivity of the insurgents for days. Two motorcycles and makeshift structures in the insurgents’ camp were also destroyed by the troops.”
Onyema further noted that another operation was carried out in Zamfara State, where two terrorists were equally killed.
