Following the killing of over 70 vigilantes in Plateau State, a leader of the local security outfit in Wase Local Government Area, Abdullahi Hussaini, has vowed to continue the fight against bandits and kidnappers, despite the heavy losses.
Hussaini made this statement on Tuesday while reacting to the deadly ambush that took place on Monday in Kukawa community and Bunyun village, where vigilantes pursuing armed criminals were attacked. According to reports, the group had mobilised to trace and confront bandits terrorising communities in Wase over recent years.
While acknowledging the casualties, Hussaini said their resolve remains unshaken.
“We will never surrender to the bandits and kidnappers,” he declared.
He added that the fight would continue until the bandits either repent, vacate Wase, or are fully defeated.
“The casualties we recorded will not discourage us. Death is inevitable; we are determined to protect our people,” he said, while urging Nigerians to support them with prayers and solidarity.
In response to rising insecurity and in a bid to strengthen food security, Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Tuesday commissioned an additional 150 agro-rangers to protect farmers and their produce across Plateau State.
At a passing-out parade held at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Command and Staff College in Naton-Fursa, Jos East, the governor emphasised that farming must be protected for Nigeria to achieve food sovereignty.
“Our farms are national assets. Farmers must feel safe going to their fields. This is a crucial step toward food security for our nation,” Mutfwang said.
In a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the governor thanked President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s security chiefs for their continued support in tackling the state’s challenges. He praised the NSCDC’s agro-rangers initiative as a timely and innovative solution tailored to rural insecurity.
Mutfwang noted that recent operations by security agencies, including the peaceful evacuation of cattle from Bokkos Local Government Area, highlight the importance of professionalism and community dialogue in restoring peace.
Addressing the new agro-rangers, the governor urged them to serve with integrity and patriotism.
“You are not just performing a job; you are making a noble sacrifice to protect your fellow citizens,” he told them.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, also addressed the event, describing it as a significant step in addressing insecurity in rural communities.
He confirmed that this was the second batch of agro-rangers deployed in the state, affirming the corps’ readiness to support Plateau’s efforts toward sustainable peace and improved agricultural productivity.
Dr Audi also paid a courtesy visit to the governor where they discussed further strategies for improving the state’s security architecture.
