The Plateau State government has called for the withdrawal of military troops stationed in parts of the state, expressing growing distrust over their effectiveness amid repeated violent attacks.
This follows the recent massacre of 27 farmers in the state, which has seen a troubling rise in violence throughout the year.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace and Security, Chris Kwaja, the government urged the replacement of the troops with mobile police forces.
It also requested that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, initiate an independent investigation into the pattern of recurring attacks, particularly scrutinizing “the actions and inactions of the military personnel” deployed in affected communities.
The state further called on the federal government to support local security initiatives such as Operation Rainbow, which are aimed at tackling the growing threat of insecurity at the grassroots level.
“This change in approach is necessary to ensure a more effective and responsive security strategy that prioritises fighting against asymmetrical warfare, which the MOPOL is conversant with,” Kwaja stated.
While Plateau reels from recent tragedies, bandits have struck again in Zamfara State, abducting over 100 farmers in Jengebe Village, Talatan Mafara Local Government Area.
The attacks, which occurred over the weekend, turned deadly when nine farmers were killed on their farmlands.
According to RFI Hausa Service, monitored Monday, the assailants returned on Sunday evening but left without any further abductions.
Responding to the crisis, Ahmad Dan Manga, Special Adviser to the Zamfara State Governor on Security, said the government had moved swiftly to contain the situation.
He added that security forces were already being mobilized to the area: “The government was on top of the situation, and would dispatch a delegation to the area,” he said, noting that soldiers and vigilantes had been deployed.
Similarly, in Sokoto State, gunmen launched a deadly raid on Dabagi community, located in Dange-Shuni Local Council, on Sunday night.
The attackers killed three residents and abducted several others, creating widespread panic among villagers.
A post on X (formerly Twitter) by security analyst Bakatsine read: “Bandits attacked Dabagi community in Dange-Shuni LGA of Sokoto State last night. They killed three people and kidnapped an unspecified number of male and female residents.”
One eyewitness reported: “They came in large numbers and started shooting. Three people were killed instantly, and they went away with several men and women.”
In a related development, the Kaduna State Police Command announced the arrest of Mati Bagiyo, a long-wanted bandit who had managed to evade capture for 11 years.
Police spokesperson Mansur Hassan confirmed the arrest and the recovery of a large cache of weapons, including:
One AK-47 rifle
One fabricated AK-47
One pump-action gun
Two fabricated pistols
Two AK-47 magazines
Two LAR rifle magazines
Four live AK-47 rounds
10 pump-action cartridges
80 pistol rounds
A machete, two torchlights, and an unjamming rod
Hassan noted that Bagiyo had been a notorious figure in both Kaduna and Katsina states, adding: “The suspect is currently in custody, providing useful information to investigators.”
