Residents of Bashar Chiefdom in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State erupted in celebration following the deployment of 300 troops to curb persistent bandit attacks that have claimed lives, destroyed property and displaced scores of families in the area.
The troops, deployed under Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), arrived in Bashar town on Monday night to a rousing welcome from youths, women, students and community leaders who thronged the streets in jubilation. The contingent is led by the Sector 2 Commander, Col. Olugbenga Osuntuyi.
For years, communities under Bashar Chiefdom including Gudus, Nyalum, Yuli, Kanpani and Bashar districts have suffered repeated attacks. Villages such as Zurak, Bangalala, Zak, Gajin-Bashar, Safiyo, Sabon-Layi, Bunyun, Dongon Ruwa, Sabon-Gari, Adua and Gilyir have recorded incidents of killings, abductions and cattle rustling.
Security personnel have also paid a heavy price in the fight against bandits, with more than five deaths reported among operatives within the past week alone.
As the troops moved into their newly established base, residents staged cultural displays and carried placards expressing gratitude to the military authorities. Some community members were seen conveying food items, mattresses and other supplies to support the soldiers.
The military base was constructed through the efforts of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and member representing Wase Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Idris Wase, to strengthen security presence in the chiefdom.
Welcoming the troops, the Magayakin Bashar, Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf, described the deployment as a long-awaited intervention and urged the military to deal decisively with criminal elements terrorising the area. He assured them of the community’s full cooperation.
“Any criminal you come across, deal with him decisively. We are not supporting criminals. Even as recently as yesterday, our people were kidnapped and one person was killed. We are happy to witness your arrival,” he said.
The Madakin of Bashar and Acting Rekna, Alhaji Ali Nuhu, also called on residents to cooperate fully with the troops and warned against sabotage or collaboration with bandits, stressing that unity was critical to restoring peace.
Representing Hon. Idris Wase, his Senior Aide, Hon. Abubakar Muhammad Badu, said the deployment followed a motion of urgent public importance raised on the floor of the House of Representatives over insecurity in Bashar Chiefdom.
He disclosed that the lawmaker facilitated logistics for the base and donated 10 motorcycles, 300 mattresses, 100 bags each of rice and maize, 40 cartons of spaghetti, two bags of salt, as well as a ram and a cow to support the troops. Two boreholes were also drilled to provide water for the base.
He warned residents against serving as informants to bandits, saying anyone found collaborating with criminals would face the consequences.
“Any society that is not united is bound to fail. Informants are within our communities. An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said, urging the people to remain vigilant and united in the fight against banditry.