Jos — Troops attached to the Forward Operation Base (FOB) of Operation Safe Haven, stationed in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State have killed five bandits, including their kingpin, Kachalla Saleh.

A vigilance and youth leader in Wase, Abdullahi Haruna told newsmen that the incident happened at about 12.00 noon in Kinashe village of Bashar district of the local government.

This is coming less than a week after bandits and vigilance group members clashed in Dogon Ruwa community, resulting in the death of three bandits and one vigilance member.

Haruna said that the bandits, who posed a threat to residents' lives, were caught off guard by security personnel, allowing for a resistance-free operation.

He said: "The village is a bushy area, and residents had already fled before the latest incident. Bandits had displaced people from the area, using it as a hideout. They didn't expect security personnel to descend upon them at that time, given the tough terrain."

He, however, acknowledged that eliminating the five bandits doesn't necessarily end banditry in the area. But residents of Wase, particularly Bashar district, have commended the troops for the successful operation.

Communities in Wase LGA have suffered from banditry in the past two years, resulting in deaths of residents and security personnel.

Spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, did not respond to calls put across to him to confirm the development.