In the Bashar area of Plateau State’s Wase Local Government Area, five market vendors were kidnapped by masked gunmen who were believed to be bandits in the Dogon Ruwa hamlet.
In interviews with news outlets, residents of the area claimed that robbers had looted stores and warehouses, taking away large supplies of food and medication.
Hundreds of people from nearby towns apparently frequent the market, where vendors offer staples including flour, rice, beans, beverages, and more.
Wase youth leader Shapi’i Sambo said that the bandits rode up to the community on motorbikes at about 11 o’clock in the morning, just as locals and tourists were doing business, and they chased everyone out of the market and home.
They began firing as soon as they entered the area, which nearly encircled the community. Straightaway, a few of them made their way to the market, where they selected five store owners.
They probably planned to steal food on market day, according to Sambo. Military forces and vigilantes, he added, have been assembled to pursue the robbers to their lairs.
Major Samson Zhakom, who is the official spokesman for Operation Safe Haven, has not yet addressed questions regarding the incident. Locals are calling on the government to save them from the constant barrage of bandit attacks.