Troops foil Christmas day attack, kill bandit, recover arms in Plateau

Troops of 3 Division under the Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have foiled a planned attack and neutralised a notorious bandit in Plateau State, as part of intensified security operations during the yuletide season.

The operation was carried out in the early hours of December 25, 2025, at Gwande Community in Monguna District of Bokkos Local Government Area, following credible intelligence on the movement of armed criminals.

According to a statement by Samson Zhakom, the spokesperson of OPEP, made available to journalists on Friday in Jos, the bandits were mobilising to launch an attack on a nearby community when troops swiftly moved in and engaged them in a gun battle, during which one of the bandits was neutralised.

“During the exchange, one of the bandits was neutralised, while others fled the area in disarray, with some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.

“Items recovered from the scene include one fabricated revolver rifle, one fabricated pistol, nine rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and six cartridges”.

The statement added that residents of Gwande Community later confirmed that the neutralised suspect was a member of a notorious criminal syndicate that had been terrorising the area and surrounding communities.

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The OPEP spokesperson said the military has since intensified follow-up operations to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects, while reassuring law-abiding residents of Plateau State of its commitment to protecting lives and property, and warning criminals to desist from illegal activities or face decisive action.