An unidentified man has been found dead in border communities between Bauchi and Plateau states, shortly after the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, deployed 300 special troops to Plateau State on Monday, February 9, 2026 to combat banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other criminal activities.

The troops were deployed to Wase Local Council of Plateau State, where there have been incessant killings and cattle rustling.

Residents of the border communities in Bauchi and Plateau states said no one had claimed the body, which was reportedly dumped at the borderline. A community member, who spoke to The Guardian on condition of anonymity, said they heard a gunshot at about midnight but were unable to come out due to fear.

“It was this morning of February 10, 2026 that we came out only to see this man battered and killed in a dangerous circumstance. Nobody has come to claim ownership of the corpse yet,” the source said.

Earlier, while receiving the troops at the Headquarters of 3 Division, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, Maj Gen Folusho Oyinlola, represented by his Chief of Staff, Brig Gen Senlong Sule, welcomed the troops and urged them to be decisive in carrying out offensive operations against bandits engaged in killing innocent people and other criminal activities.

Oyinlola commended the proactive leadership of the Chief of Army Staff for providing the necessary combat enablers and logistics for the effective execution of the troops’ mandate.

He also appealed to residents not to panic at the sight of a large movement of troops and heavy military equipment, thanking them for their continued support and urging them to provide actionable and timely intelligence on the whereabouts of criminal elements to aid operations aimed at restoring peace in the state.

Speaking on the deployment, the Magayakin Bashar, Abubakar Yusuf, described it as a long-awaited intervention and a memorable day for the community.

Yusuf thanked the Chief of Army Staff and the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Rukuba Barracks, Jos, Maj Gen Oyinlola, for overseeing security in Plateau, Bauchi, Nasarawa and other neighbouring states, and assured the troops of full cooperation from the community.

Also speaking, the Acting Rekna of Bashar, Ali Nuhu, urged residents to cooperate with the military and warned against sabotage or collaboration with criminal elements. (Guardian)

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