Unidentified gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked the Dogon Ruwa community in Bashar district, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, abducting five traders in a market.
The locals of the community, while speaking to reporters, said that the bandits burgled shops and business centres, carting away huge quantities of food items and medicines.
The market, which reportedly attracts hundreds of visitors from neighbouring communities, sells food items including flour, rice, beans, drinks, and other supplies.
According to a youth leader in Wase, Shapi’i Sambo, the bandits arrived at the community around 11 am on motorcycles when residents and visitors were transacting businesses, forcing people to flee the market and their homes.
“They stormed the area, almost surrounding the community, and started shooting. Some of them went to the market straight where they picked five shop owners. We believe they targeted the market day to steal food items,”;; Sambo said.
He further stated that security personnel, including soldiers and vigilantes, have been mobilised to trail the bandits to their hideouts.
The spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, is yet to respond to inquiries about the incident.
Residents of the area have urged the security forces to come to their rescue, saying bandit attacks have become a daily occurrence.
