Armed bandits give residents of 10 Plateau communities a 48 hour ultimatum to leave their villages

ARMED bandits operating in Plateau State have given residents of 10 communities in Wase Local Government Area a five day ultimatum to vacate their communities or face the full wrath of their fury.

Plateau is one of the states that has been badly plagued by armed banditry as what started off as communal clashes between Fulani cattle herdsmen and local Berom farmers has now spiralled out of control. Criminal elements have now taken control of large swathes of Plateau State, overwhelming the security forces, who have been rendered helpless.

Over the last week, the bandits told residents of Sabon Zama, Gindin Dutse, Anguwan Tsohon Soldier, Anguwan Yuhana and Anguwan Mangu communities to vacate their premises. Two months ago, bandits in large numbers attacked the neighbouring Kanam Local Government Area where over 100 persons were reportedly killed.

These bandits who have been terrorising Wase and other neighbouring local government areas, gave the communities a five-day ultimatum on Sunday to pack out or face the consequences. A resident of one of the communities disclosed that the bandits physically visited some of the communities over the weekend to issue the ultimatum and threatened to kill the residents if they refused to adhere to the ultimatum.

Apparently, residents of the affected villages and communities have started leaving their homes before the ultimatum lapses today. It is not yet clear of the police and other security agencies intend moving into the communities to protect local people.