The headquarters of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) has confirmed the deaths of eight vigilante members following a deadly ambush by suspected bandits near Odare Forest in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, contrary to earlier reports suggesting that over 70 vigilantes were killed.

The tragic incident occurred on Monday, July 6, during a self-organised security patrol by vigilantes from Wase and Kanam LGAs who were targeting suspected criminal hideouts in the dense forest reserve bordering Bauchi and Taraba States.

Initial reports from community sources and local vigilante leaders had placed the death toll at more than 70, with Kukawa and Bunyun communities reportedly worst hit. The Chairman of the Kukawa Vigilante Group, Aliyu Baffa, had earlier told reporters that the team was ambushed by heavily armed bandits just outside Kukawa town, resulting in mass casualties and several missing persons.

“They took us by surprise,” Baffa had said. “More than 70 of our men were killed on the spot. By evening, we had already buried them in Kukawa, but several others are still missing.”

In Bunyun village, another resident, Musa Ibrahim, said at least 10 members of a local security team were killed, and several houses were torched during the bandits’ raid.

However, in a statement issued Tuesday, OPSH clarified that while an ambush did occur, only eight vigilante members lost their lives. The statement, signed by OPSH Media Information Officer, Major Samson Zhakom, stated that the vigilantes embarked on the operation without prior notice or coordination with security agencies.

According to OPSH, the group made a stop at Kukawa to finalise arrangements before proceeding to the forest, but clashed with residents, looted shops, and seized over 20 motorcycles before continuing their mission. Shortly after leaving the town, they were ambushed near Odare Forest.

Troops from OPSH’s Sector 2 in Wase have since launched a search and rescue operation to locate the missing vigilantes, while the bodies of the deceased have been recovered and given proper burials.

Major Zhakom warned against further unauthorised security operations, stressing that while the desire to protect communities is commendable, such actions must be coordinated with appropriate authorities to avoid unnecessary casualties and civil unrest.

“OPSH strongly cautions against the conduct of unauthorised operations. We urge all vigilante groups to seek proper clearance and coordination before embarking on any mission,” he said.

He assured the public of OPSH’s commitment to peace and stability in Plateau State and urged residents to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence and reporting suspicious movements.

The incident underscores the growing complexities of community-based security efforts in bandit-prone regions, and the need for structured collaboration between local initiatives and state-backed security forces.