Not less than 18 bandits were killed by operatives of the Special Military Taskforce in Plateau State during a raid on their hideouts in the Zurak Compani community in Wase local government area.
A youth leader in the community, Shapi’i Sambo, who spoke to journalists on Tuesday, said the raid on the bandits followed an attack they had carried out at a market in Zurak Compani two weeks ago where they killed about seven people.
Sambo said the bandits were holding a meeting in one of their enclaves when the security operatives stormed the hideout and opened fire on them, killing 18 and injuring scores of others.
He added that some informants who were giving information to the criminals were also traced and eliminated.
The youth leader stated that the bandits were killed in a combined operation involving security operatives and vigilantes, who tracked them to their hideouts.
“The incident occurred around 11am while they were holding a meeting in the area,” Sambo said.
“It was a coordinated effort by security operatives and vigilantes from Wase and neighbouring communities of Taraba State.
“The bandits gathered in one place when suddenly, the security personnel and the vigilantes stormed the area.
“They had been targeted since after the recent attack on the market in the area. Based on credible information, they were confronted at one location. Their accomplices were also tracked down and killed,” he added.
