Soldiers, Vigilantes Kill Five Suspected Bandits in Wase

Armed forces and local vigilantes on June 5 stormed bandits’ hideouts in Kadil Masudu, Wase, killing at least five suspected kidnappers and freeing a captive held for over a month. The operation, hailed by residents as a significant breakthrough after years of persistent attacks, came amid mounting fears over widespread banditry and kidnapping across the area.

According to youth leader Shapi’i Sambo, the joint operation did not come without cost.

“One member of our vigilante group lost his life, and several others were injured during the clash,” he said. “But we are relieved that a victim who had been in captivity for more than four weeks has been brought back home safely.”

The June 5 offensive follows a string of violent incursions that have displaced hundreds of villagers, disrupted markets, and paralyzed farming activities. In one of the most recent episodes before Kadil Masudu, gunmen wearing full military uniforms attacked Dogon Ruwa community in Bashar District on May 5.

Residents recounted that the bandits arrived at about 11 a.m., mingling with traders in the busy market before unleashing violence. They looted shops and business centres, carting away large quantities of foodstuffs, motorcycles, and medicines.

Five people were kidnapped and one person killed before the assailants slipped away, leaving the community in panic. “At first, we believed they were genuine soldiers sent to protect us,” said one trader. “It was only when they began shooting and stealing that we realized they were impostors.”

The two incidents shows a growing security crisis in Wase, where many villages have seen whole families flee their homes to escape ransom demands and brutal reprisal killings. Farms lie fallow as farmers stay indoors, and local markets operate at a fraction of their normal capacity.

While June 5’s operation has boosted morale, residents say more sustained efforts are needed. “Killing suspects is one thing, but we need lasting protection,” Sambo emphasized. “We want regular patrols, checkpoints, and better coordination between the military, police, and vigilante groups to ensure our villages are safe.”

Authorities have not issued an official statement on the June 5 raid or the broader security situation in Wase. Meanwhile, displaced families continue to shelter in neighbouring communities, hoping for a swift end to the cycle of violence that has gripped the region.