Families of the soldiers and the vigilantes killed last Friday in Wanka village, Kyaram district in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, have recounted their last moments.

In their separate interviews with Daily Trust, the families described the losses as painful, heartbreaking and traumatic.

Recall that on Friday, 13 March, bandits operating from Madami forest, a forest stretching across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba States, engaged in a gunfire with soldiers and vigilantes who were on an operation in Wanka community, fighting against banditry and kidnapping in Wase and Kanam LGAs.

This led to the killing of 20 soldiers and eight vigilantes, including two army captains and a colonel.

Residents of the Wanka also told Daily Trust that about 20 bandits lost their lives in the incident.

Among the slain soldiers were Captain Aliyu Hajji, from Anguar-Kura-Lokoja, Kogi State and Captain Muhammad Sulaiman from Bauchi State.

Alhaji Danladi Abdulsalam, Danmalikin Lokoja and a relative to Captain Hajji, described him as a hero who died in the service of his fatherland, saying “late Captain Hajji was a promising officer whose death was not only a great loss to his family, but also to the state and the country at large.

A member of Hajji’s family, Alhaji Musa Tanimu Nasidi, said:

"Hours before the incident, the late officer had shared a heartfelt message on his social media page marking the first anniversary of his mother’s passing. That post reflected his deep sense of family, humility and faith. Little did many know that shortly afterward, the same fate of death would come knocking on his own door”.

Ibrahim Sulaiman, a younger brother to Captain Suleiman, recalled that his brother “spoke with his wife about two hours before he was killed and spent some minutes with his wife on the phone.

“He called her shortly after the sunset prayers and that was his last conversation with the family. Sincerely speaking, Capt. Sulaiman means everything to our family. He is the breadwinner of the family. He has been taking good care of our aged-mother. Every month he will send money for her medication and other expenses. Now that Capt. Sulaiman has gone, we don’t know where to start life again. We have left everything to God, as He knows why He takes his life at this critical time,” he said.

Idris Inusa, father of Muhammad Shurehu (deceased), said: “I am saddened by the loss of my son, but it was ordained that he would give his life in the cause of protecting his community. He was courageous, and I supported him.

“I recall that on the day of the incident, he greeted me in the morning, informing me they were going on an operation and asked me to pray for him, which I did.”

Gambo Dalladi, father of Danladi Kabir, who lost his son in the incident, said he was supposed to be among those to participate in the operation, but his motorcycle was faulty.

“I prayed for his success. He was a dedicated and respectful son who listened to me all the time.”

Muhammad Kabir, an elder brother to Raiyanu Ishaq, recalled: “Two days before he was killed, I called him and one of our siblings who were quarreling and settled them. I asked both of them to forgive each other, unaware he had two days to live. It has happened, and there is nothing we can do. We pray Allah grants him mercy.”

Uzairu Adamu, an elder brother to Iliyasu Adamu, said: “My last moment with Ilyasu was on the phone when he called to greet me. We used to call each other all the time. He was a good brother, one I’ll always remember.”

Another relative of one of the slain vigilantes, Haruna Zubairu, a nephew to Usman Musa, described his uncle’s death as heartbreaking, considering he was a father figure to him since the death of his biological father.

He said, “For the past two days, I couldn’t eat because I lost someone who used to advise and guide me all the time. On Friday, he informed me they would embark on an operation, and that was the last I heard from him.”

Suleman Musa Mandi, an elder brother to Usman Musa, described his death as a big loss to the family.

He said, “Usman was the only person close to me, and today he’s no more. He gave his life to protect the community. I recalled that he informed me on Friday that they were going on an operation against bandits. I prayed for his success, and that was the end of it.”

We won’t give up – Vigilante commander

Speaking to Daily Trust on Monday, the commander of vigilantes in Garga, Abubakar Ishak, one of the worst areas affected by banditry, vowed that they would not surrender to “enemies of peace and prosperity.”

The vigilante commander, who also participated in Friday’s operation, said: “We don’t have any community different from where we’re occupying. If we run, where should we go? We will continue to fight to the last drop of our blood. If today, 100 members are killed, tomorrow, those who are alive will continue to fight more than the previous ones, by the grace of God.”

The vigilante commander called on people across the country, especially areas affected by banditry, to rise to the occasion and defend their communities, noting that “the bandits are human beings like any other person who fear death. When you continue to surrender, they will always strike you. God will continue to assist us.”

He commended the deployment of conventional security forces to their areas.

OPEP silent

Operation Enduring Peace, a multi-security task force maintaining peace in Plateau and some parts of Bauchi and Kaduna, is yet to speak or issue any statement on the incident.

The spokesperson of the Operation, Captain Polycap Ateh, neither answered phone calls nor responded to a text message by our correspondent.

Plateau govt condemns killing of soldiers, vigilantes

The Plateau State Government on Sunday described the incident as barbaric.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the government expressed deep concern over the the incident.

“The government commends the bravery and sacrifice of security personnel and local vigilantes who lost their lives in the course of confronting the attackers.

“Their courage and dedication in the face of danger remain a testament to their commitment to the safety of Plateau communities,” the statement said.

Our correspondent gathered that about eight LGAs have been troubled spots where hundreds of lives were lost in recent years due to attacks. They are Jos South, Bassa, Riyom, Barikin Ladi, Bokkos, Kanam and Wase LGAs

Timelines of attacks

On December 1, 2025, assailants reportedly killed a herder, Yakubu Salisu, while he was grazing cattle around Kira’s village in Bokkos Local LGA.

On December 11, 2025, gunmen attacked herders and rustled no fewer than 168 cattle in Nding community of Barikin Ladi.

On December 13, 2025, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) reported that many cattle of its members were killed after they were allegedly poisoned while grazing around Kwi village of Riyom LGA.

On December 15, 2025, the MACBAN reported that gunmen opened fire on herders, killing 13 cattle and injuring 12 others along Gero road, Jos South LGA.

On December 17, 2025, the Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO), said no fewer than 12 miners were killed by gunmen while many others missing following an attack on Fan district of Barkin Ladi LGA.

On December 29, 2015 the MACBAN said gunmen killed their members at the Conoil Fueling station, located on Bukur Expressway in Jos South LGA, injuring five.

On January 1, 2026, at least, nine farmers were reportedly killed and three others injured in a fresh attack in Bum community in Chugwi, Vwang District of Jos South LGA.

On January 2, gunmen reportedly attacked Bong village in Doemak district of Qua’an Pan lga, killing seven persons and injuring many others.

On January 7, gunmen attacked herders, killing one and injuring another around Gero community of Jos South LGA.

On January 8, six farmers were killed and one injured in separate incidents in Foron and Gero communities of Jos South and Barkin Ladi LGAs.

On January 12, eleven cattle were allegedly shot dead and poisoned in two separate communities of Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGAs.

On January 15, 102 cattle were allegedly rustled after gunmen attacked herding community in Ganawuri community of Riyom LGA.

On January 17, three farmers were reportedly killed and one other injured when gunmen attacked farmers around Nding village, Barkin Ladi LGA.

On January 22, seven farmers were killed when gunmen attacked a mining site around Kuru axis in the Kuru district of South LGA.

On February 19, gunmen killed three herders along the Dorowa-Jong road in Barkin Ladi LGA.

On February 21, a farmer, identified as Mr Sunday Darian, was reportedly killed along Jol community of Riyom LGA.

On February 23, six traders were killed when gunmen ambushed their vehicle while travelling from Jos to Pankshin LGA for a business transaction.

On January 4, 2026, bandits attacked Saran Allah community, Garga district, Kanam local government area of the state, killing one and abducting two others.

On January 19, 2026, bandits attacked Kyaram community, Garga district of Kanam local government area of the state, killing a husband and abducting a housewife and her daughter.

On February 3, 2026, five residents and soldier were killed when bandits attacked Zurak community, Bashar district of Wase local government area of the state.

On February 4, 2026, bandits attacked Zurak community, forcing residents to flee the area. The Residents of the community said the bandits first targeted security points in the communities and proceeded to the residential areas, burning houses, shops, and looting food items.

February 9, 2026, gunmen Sunday evening, stormed Dogon Ruwa community in Bashar district of Wase local government area of Plateau state killing a resident and kidnapping of an Imam, Abdulrashid Baduku, his Muazzin (prayer caller) and six others in the area.

Residents said the victims of the Sunday attack were attacked on the outskirts of the community while they were making charcoal for commercial use.

On February 16, 2026, at least two residents were shot dead by armed bandits in a renewed attack on Garga community, Garga district of Kanam LGA.

According to Iyan Garga, Alh. Usman Muhammed Danladi, a traditional ruler in the community, the bandits reportedly invaded the community on Monday evening, shooting sporadically killing two and injuring one.

On March 1, 2026, security operatives repelled a suspected bandit attack at Kampani village in Wase local government area of the state.

Our correspondent reports that panic had gripped residents as armed attackers descended on the village at about 4pm but a quick response from security operatives prevented them from causing havoc on the community. (Daily Trust)

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