By Sunday Apah
Armed assailants have reportedly abducted three individuals, including two local officials from the palace, and set several homes on fire in the Bunyun community within Bashar District, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources indicate that the attack took place on Wednesday evening around 7:30 pm and may be connected to a recent clash between vigilante groups and bandits, which resulted in multiple vigilante casualties and widespread property destruction.
The traditional ruler of the community, Abdulbari’u Muhammad, confirmed the incident to journalists in Jos on Thursday. He explained that a large number of bandits arrived on motorcycles, raiding the community and stealing valuables such as foodstuffs, clothing, and motorcycles.
“We are completely at a loss and don’t know what steps to take, which is why we fled to Bashar. Everyone has evacuated because the community is no longer safe,” Muhammad stated.
He identified the kidnapped palace officials as Waziri and Wakili, who is his younger brother.
Residents reported that the entire community had been deserted, with many fleeing to nearby towns like Bashar for safety.
Abubakar Zubairu, a local resident, told PUNCH Metro, “The community was deserted on Thursday morning following the attack on Wednesday night.”
Muhammad appealed to the government to send sufficient security personnel to the area to enable farmers to return to their fields and protect their livelihoods.
“Our crops are already planted, and we are deeply concerned about our farms. We urgently need security support so we can go back to our farms and sustain ourselves,” he said.
This incident underscores the escalating insecurity in Plateau communities and the urgent need for government action to safeguard lives and property.
As of this report, responses from Major Samson Zhakom of Operation Safe Haven and Alabo Alfred of the state Police Command had not been received despite multiple calls and messages.
