A violent gun battle broke out on Monday, July 7, between suspected bandits and members of the Miyetti Allah Vigilante group in Odare Forest, near Kukawa village, in Dengi District, Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, stating that the clash occurred around 4:30 p.m. during a reported vigilante operation in the forest.

 “They were suddenly ambushed by armed bandits, leading to a heavy exchange of gunfire,” Makama wrote.

According to community sources cited by Makama, there were casualties on both sides, but the exact number of injured or killed remains uncertain due to ongoing security challenges in the area.

A joint security team reportedly responded to a distress call but was hindered by dense forest cover and rugged terrain, making it difficult to reach the scene or fully assess the damage.

In response, military forces and other security agencies have launched a coordinated operation aimed at reclaiming control of the area and investigating the full scale of the incident.

Authorities have also urged nearby communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as tensions remain high.