The Nigerian Army has cautioned that the growing practice of communities arming themselves for self-defence in Plateau State is deepening the crisis rather than helping to resolve it.

Major General MA Etsy-Ndagi, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, made this known during a media briefing in Jos.

He said that while some groups have been advocating for community self-defence due to recurring attacks, the approach has only aggravated tensions and contributed to a cycle of retaliatory violence.

Plateau State has experienced persistent conflict since 2001, leading to numerous deaths, injuries and widespread destruction. Frustration over the repeated attacks has led some communities to demand permission to protect themselves.

But Etsy-Ndagi stressed that the violence involves ongoing clashes between farming and herding communities, with both sides accusing each other of attacks, farm destruction, and cattle rustling.

According to him, this back-and-forth has created a continuous chain of violence.

He explained that the military is focused on disarming all individuals, including those carrying locally fabricated weapons, to restore peace.

“To ensure the safety of lives and property, everyone must be disarmed. We cannot allow illegal weapons or local fabrication of arms,” he said.

He added that the military does not support the idea of communities defending themselves, noting that the Army’s role is to protect vulnerable and traumatized communities, not to permit parallel armed groups.

Etsy-Ndagi appealed to residents to promote peaceful coexistence and work closely with security agencies, emphasizing that sustainable development is impossible without peace.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s dedication to combating insecurity across the country and restoring stability to troubled regions.

The police officers who lost their lives in an ambush by bandits in Bauchi State have been laid to rest.

The attack occurred in Sabon Sara village, in Darazo Local Government Area, where the officers were responding to a distress call before they came under heavy fire from the attackers.

On Monday, the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani Omolori Aliyu, alongside other senior officers, attended the burial ceremony in Bauchi.

As of the time of this report, details of the funeral were still limited.

The Bauchi State Police Command earlier confirmed that five officers were killed in the attack.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Ahmed Wakil, five personnel “paid the supreme price,” two others sustained injuries, and an unspecified number of bandits were neutralised during the confrontation.

The injured officers were identified as Inspector Isah Musa (SID) and Inspector Yusuf Gambo (SID).

Wakil explained that after receiving the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Auwalu Ilu, led a reinforcement team to the location.

They successfully recovered the injured officers and the bodies of the deceased, who were taken to the General Hospital in Darazo.

The remains of the fallen officers were later deposited in the morgue.

He added that aggressive efforts were underway to track down the perpetrators.

“The Command remains fully committed to ensuring that the criminals behind this heinous act are brought to justice,” Wakil stated.

A prominent youth group in Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Youth Ambassadors (AYA), has raised alarm over the continued imprisonment of Musa Nura Aljan, a civilian hunter celebrated for his long-standing assistance to security agencies in combating bandits, kidnappers, and armed gangs across the region.

In a statement released on Monday and signed by Comrade Yahaya M. Abdullahi, the group voiced its “deep concern” regarding Aljan’s prolonged detention and the 45-year prison term he is said to be serving, a development that has triggered widespread outrage among community leaders and residents.

AYA recalled that Aljan had spent several years collaborating closely with security forces, gathering intelligence, tracking down hideouts, and helping apprehend notorious criminals who had tormented communities in multiple northern states.

His work, often carried out at great personal risk, reportedly played a key role in weakening violent networks and restoring relative peace in some of the worst-hit rural areas.

In one of his most notable operations, Aljan was reported to have pursued bandits along the Kaduna–Abuja highway in December 2019, arresting suspects and recovering around 1,000 stolen cattle.

Operating under the banner of the Aljan Network, he ventured deep into the Rijina forest, an area well known as a stronghold of criminal gangs who, according to reports, were familiar faces in neighboring communities.

He was also credited with recovering weapons including AK-47s, an AK-49 rifle, double-barrel guns, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

According to earlier reports, the bandits allegedly attempted to bribe Aljan with ₦2 million to allow them safe passage with the stolen cattle.

Aljan had also been outspoken against negotiating with bandits, saying, “In my opinion, I think it is wrong for any governor to dialogue with bandits because they (bandits) are not to be trusted.

“Let them hand over all their weapons and also release all people in their custody if they are really serious with the dialogue.”

He maintained that he consistently rescued kidnapped individuals and stolen livestock, and ensured that recovered animals were returned to their rightful owners.

His efforts once prompted Pastor Yohanna Buru, National President of the Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria, to call for a national award in his honor.

AYA emphasized that “Bandits feared the name ‘Aljan’ not because he compromised with them, but because he confronted them.”

The group described him as one of the North’s most courageous civilian contributors in the fight against insecurity, and questioned why such a figure is now behind bars under controversial circumstances.

The youth body pointed out that many citizens are troubled by the claim that Aljan’s legal ordeal began shortly after he helped in arresting suspected bandits in Bauchi State.

According to the group, local sources and community leaders said Aljan had handed over both the suspects and their weapons to security operatives, yet soon after, “the narrative reportedly shifted,” leading to his arrest and conviction.

AYA lamented that “the same man who had spent years putting his life on the line was suddenly treated as a criminal. His prolonged detention has left many confused and deeply troubled.”

While clarifying that it is not accusing any specific institution or individual, the group insisted that the unusual circumstances surrounding Aljan’s case demand immediate investigation.

They said it is unacceptable that someone who risked everything for public safety is now “languishing behind bars” rather than being honored.

“It is painful to see a man who saved lives and restored hope in communities now treated as a criminal,” AYA stated, adding, “Instead of being honoured for these sacrifices, he has been silenced and forgotten.”

The group is calling for “the immediate and unconditional release of Musa Nura Aljan, pending a full independent review of his case.”

“A public inquiry into the events that led to his arrest and conviction.”

“Stronger protections for whistleblowers and civilians assisting security operations.”

“Legal reforms to safeguard citizens who support anti-banditry and anti-kidnapping missions.”

AYA warned that Nigeria must not allow a situation where heroes are punished for their sacrifices.

“The North cannot remain silent when one of its bravest sons now suffers under questionable conditions. Positions of authority are temporary, but justice, fairness and accountability are eternal,” the statement added.

The group reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to advocating for peace, justice, and the protection of all patriotic citizens who support national security efforts.