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.

Muhammad Dantani, District Head of Maga in Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi State, speaks about the attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, where bandits killed a staff member and abducted 25 students.

How would you describe what happened during the attack on the school?

It was a heartbreaking and traumatic incident for the entire Maga community.

In the early hours of the morning, bandits stormed Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in a coordinated and brutal assault. They killed one staff member, Malam Hassan Makuku, an Islamic scholar and patron of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria.

They also shot the school’s watchman, who is my uncle.

The attackers then proceeded to the students’ hostel area, causing widespread panic. Although they did not take all the girls, they abducted a significant number.

The attack shook the entire Zuru Emirate because, until then, our area had enjoyed relative stability due to earlier security efforts.

How did you personally learn about the attack?

At about 4:30 a.m., I received an urgent call from the school principal.

As district head, I returned the call immediately and was informed that armed bandits had entered the school.

Given the seriousness of the situation, we mobilised quickly to the school to assess the damage, check casualties, and verify the students’ whereabouts.

How many students were eventually confirmed abducted?

When we gathered the remaining students and conducted a headcount using the school register, it initially appeared that 27 girls were missing.

But during verification, we found that one had returned in the night and another had escaped on her own.

By 7 a.m, after a thorough check, we confirmed that 25 students were abducted. It was devastating because these girls are our children, and their safety is our communal responsibility.

Before the attack, were there security measures in place?

Yes, there were. In fact, security had been strengthened recently due to intelligence warning of a possible attack.

Acting on this, the governor ordered police officers to be deployed around the school and directed the nearby army troops, about a kilometre away, to move closer.

He insisted on proof of the deployment, and the army officer in charge even sent a photograph with the students as evidence.

This reassured the governor and local authorities that the school was adequately secured.

We also mobilised local vigilantes familiar with the environment. These combined efforts had previously protected Maga from attacks.

If security forces were deployed, how did the attack still happen?

That is the most troubling part. Around midnight, I called to confirm the soldiers’ presence and was told they were still at their post.

Unknown to us, they withdrew around 1 am, just before the attack began. We still don’t know who gave the order or why they left.

When the bandits arrived, the police officers on duty said they took cover because the attackers were too many, and engaging them would have meant certain death.

Their numbers and firepower were overwhelming.

With the army absent, the police felt they could not resist. As a result, the bandits operated from around 1:30 am to 3:30 am without any opposition.

Has the military given any explanation for the withdrawal?

When the governor visited, he was understandably angry. The army commandant present apologised on behalf of the military and admitted that the situation was mishandled.

The governor immediately ordered the creation of a high-powered investigative committee comprising the DSS, police, school authorities, and other relevant bodies.

Their job is to uncover the reason for the troop withdrawal and determine whether negligence or compromise played a role.

We are awaiting their findings.

Has there been any progress toward rescuing the abducted students?

Yes. Since the incident, the military and other security agencies have been combing the forests and conducting search-and-rescue operations.

Based on the intel available to us, the bandits have not moved far; they remain within bush paths along the Kebbi–Zamfara border.

The military is working to block every escape route, especially those leading into Zamfara. We are hopeful, prayerful, and confident that the girls will be recovered soon.

Were the vigilantes able to intervene during the attack?

No, they were not fully engaged. The police on duty explained that once they realised the attackers’ overwhelming number, they took cover to avoid being overrun.

Vigilantes usually support the police and military, but the scale and suddenness of this attack, combined with the army’s withdrawal, created conditions where direct engagement might have led to massive casualties.

Are there any known bandit camps within the Zuru Emirate?

There are no bandit camps within the Zuru Emirate. The area comprises four major LGAs, Fakai, Danko-Wasagu, Sakaba, and Zuru, each with ward and village heads who monitor their environments closely.

The real challenge is our border with Zamfara State. The River Ka marks the boundary.

Bandits often cross from Zamfara into Kebbi to carry out attacks. Once they retreat back into Zamfara, pursuing them becomes difficult because they have established camps and support there.

Even now, the army in Zamfara is increasing pressure on them.

What is your message to state and federal authorities?

My appeal is straightforward: restore the level of security we once had in Maga. We used to have armoured personnel carriers (APCs) stationed here, and they served as a strong deterrent.

Those APCs were critical to our safety, and their removal created a vulnerability.

Maga sits right on the Zamfara border, making it even more urgent to redeploy them and strengthen military presence. This is the only way to prevent future attacks and rebuild public confidence.

We understand special prayers are being held. Can you confirm this?

Yes. Some communities have already begun their prayer sessions.

In Zuru, there is an officially organised special prayer confirmed by the Special Adviser on Security. Here in Maga, we will begin ours tomorrow.

Our community believes in combining spiritual efforts with security action.

Prayer has always been one of our strengths, and with God’s help and continued efforts by security agencies, we hope to overcome this challenge.