Residents of Bassa and surrounding communities in Shiroro Local Government Area have abandoned their homes in large numbers, rendering the towns virtually deserted, after rumours of an impending bandit attack sparked widespread panic.

Two women who had high blood pressure were said to have collapsed and died as they rushed out of the town to Kuta, which is the headquarters of Shiroro local government area.

Local sources who spoke directly to residents in Bassa, Bagna, and Erena confirmed there has been no actual bandit attack in Bassa, but the exodus from the town was triggered by fear that bandits planned reprisals against vigilantes and local hunters who had assisted security forces during a recent large-scale bandit incursion into Bagna and Erena communities.

According to the sources’ accounts, vigilantes in Bassa saw helicopters hovering around the community in the morning and interpreted the movement as preparation for a bandit assault or reprisal.

The vigilantes believe that they lacked sufficient weapons to confront the threat, hence the reason why the vigilantes fled. Their departure left the community unprotected, prompting residents to follow suit and abandon the town.

Sources said that Bassa itself is now empty, adding that surrounding communities, including Erena and Bagna, are similarly deserted. Several of the residents are said to have crossed to Gurumana or Kuta for safety. The panic is not limited to one location; sources described it as a general flight for safety across the axis.

Sources also reported that tragic deaths occurred during the hasty evacuation, which included two women from Bassa, who were hypertension (BP) patients, who collapsed while fleeing to Gurumana; one died on arrival, and the other died after arriving at the hospital. A male vigilante from Bassa who is also a BP patient is said to have also died from shock during the flight.

The tension stems from recent violence in the area. Bandits had stormed Bagna and Erena in large numbers, leading to clashes with the Joint Security Taskforce and local volunteer forces. Vigilantes from Bassa were said to have supported operations in Bagna, heightening fears of targeted reprisals.

Hunters in the axis have advised residents to leave immediately, citing their inability to engage heavily armed bandits due to their lack of sophisticated weapons.

Social media had claimed an attack on Bassa, further fuelling the panic, though on-ground sources insist no attack has taken place there.

As of Thursday, the communities remain empty, with residents scattered in safer locations. (The Nation)