Troops neutralise two Fulani bandits, recover weapons in Plateau ambush operation

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have neutralised two suspected armed Fulani bandits and recovered weapons during an ambush operation in parts of Plateau state.

Security sources said the operation was carried out on April 21, 2026, around the Marit general area of Doruwa Babuje following credible intelligence on the activities of armed criminals in the area.

According to the sources, the suspects were known for attacking locals, engaging in armed robbery and other violent crimes.

The troops, acting on the intelligence, laid an ambush and engaged the bandits, neutralising two of them while others fled the scene.

Items recovered from the suspects include a locally fabricated rifle, five rounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition, a cutlass, a jack knife and a mobile phone.

The sources added that troops remained deployed in Marit and Lajam villages, maintaining ambush positions and conducting patrols to track down the fleeing suspects.

They said the general security situation in the area remains under control, while operations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal group.

Military authorities reiterated that troops would sustain offensive operations to rid the area of criminal elements and ensure the safety of residents.

Troops neutralise two Fulani bandits, recover weapons in Plateau ambush operation

Angwa-Rukuba killings: Plateau Government Files Charges Against Five Suspects Arrested By DSS

Few weeks after President Bola Tinubu visited Plateau State and promised justice for victims of serial attacks, the State Government on Friday filed charges against five suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with the March 2026 killings of several persons in Angwa- Rukuba, Jos North LGA of the state.

The government filed charges of
criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism and other related offences against the quartet of Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar aka Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim aka Yaroro.

On his part, Adamu Isa Alhassan, who is one of the five defendants, was charged with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegally dealing in arms and ammunition. They were arrested between April 3 and April 10, 2026.
The State Attorney General, Philemon Audu Daffi, who filed the charges, said the actions of the four men were “contrary to Section 269 and Punishable under Section 270 of the Penal Code Law of Plateau State, 2017.”

The particulars of offence read, “That you, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim of Riyom Local Government Area, Auwalu Abubakar (A.K.A Auwalu Dogo) of Jos North Local Government Area, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (A.K.A Yaroro) of Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State; and one Ado Ibrahim (Now at Large) of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on the 28th day of March, 2025 at Farin Gada, Jos North Local Government Area, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit offences relating to terrorism when you planned, organized, facilitated, aided, and contributed money to carry out the attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court; you thereby committed the above offence.

“That you, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim of Riyom Local Government Area, Auwalu Abubakar (A.K.A Auwalu Dogo) of Jos North Local Government Area, Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (A.K.A Yaroro) of Jos North Local Government Areas of Plateau State; and one Ado Ibrahim (Now at Large) of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, on the 28th day of March, 2025 at Farin Gada, Jos North Local Government Area, did commit the offence of terrorism when you planned, organized, facilitated, aided, contributed and received money to carry out an attack in Angwan Rukuba, which led to the death of over thirty (30) people in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”

Part of the particulars of Alhassan’s offence read, “That you Adamu Isah Alhassan together with one Ibrahim Musa (Now at Large), Imarana Sa’idu (Now at Large), Yusuf Sa’idu (Now at Large) Aliyu Usaini (Now at Large), Yahuza Adamu (Now at Large), Mubarak Yunusa (Now at Large), Yakubu, whose surname is unknown (Now at Large) and others also at large between the months of January to December, 2025 and in January, 2026 at Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit and Bangai Villages of Riyom Local Government Area and Vom in Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an illegal act to wit: Culpable Homicide Punishable with Death, when you armed yourselves with guns, attacked and killed the residents of Gwang, Rin Ward, Bachit and Bangai Villages of Riyom Local Government Area and Vom in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, and you thereby committed the above offence.”

Recall that, on Friday March 28, 2025, no fewer than 30 persons including children were killed after suspected herders attacked some communities in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas and their environs, of the State.

Following the killings, many called for the cancellation of a state-,organized programme,”Experience Plateau, Arts Meets Fashion.”

Brushing aside the calls, Governor Caleb Mutfwang said cancelling the event would satisfy the agenda of the attackers.
Remarked the governor, “Last week, Bokkos Local Government Area came under renewed attack by murderers who are desperate to break our spirit.

“Many advised that we suspend this function, but we realized that these attackers intend to keep us in perpetual mourning, to force us indoors, and to shackle our collective spirit.
“But I said no! Life must go on. Plateau must move forward by the grace of God.

The genocide on the Plateau will come to an end. What is happening is not a farmer-herder conflict. Let me be clear: it is genocide, and I urge the international community to take note,” declared the governor.

During the President’s visit early this month, he met with victims of the attacks, assessed the damage, and promised justice for those who suffered losses.

“We are optimistic that ongoing interventions will help restore lasting peace,” assured the President, even as he charged citizens of the state to be vigilant

Angwa-Rukuba killings: Plateau Government Files Charges Against Five Suspects Arrested By DSS

Zulum Calls for AI-Driven Security Reform at Kogi Summit, Urges Tackling of Root Causes of Insecurity

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s security strategy, urging greater adoption of advanced technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address escalating security challenges across the country.

Speaking at the Kogi Security Summit held in Abuja on Tuesday, Zulum warned that conventional security approaches are no longer sufficient to confront increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. He advocated the integration of modern surveillance systems, including drones, biometric tracking technologies, and predictive analytics to detect and prevent attacks before they occur.

“For us to address insecurity, we need to possess modern technological warfare. Technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics are now being deployed globally to combat crime,” the governor said.

Beyond technological investment, Zulum emphasised the importance of citizen participation in security management, insisting that communities must take greater responsibility in intelligence sharing and local vigilance rather than relying solely on security agencies.

He further stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without addressing the socio-economic drivers of insecurity. According to him, widespread poverty, unemployment, infrastructural decay, and environmental vulnerabilities continue to fuel recruitment into criminal groups.

“While it is critical to purchase equipment such as vehicles, MRAPs, drones and other facilities to confront insecurity, most importantly, without addressing underlying factors such as poverty, road infrastructure, agriculture, among others, insecurity will not end,” Zulum said, urging policymakers to channel part of security funding into development-focused interventions.

He added that “understanding the socio-economic and political dimensions of every crisis is very important. Increasing poverty, climate vulnerabilities, infrastructural deficit, illiteracy, among others, have to be addressed if we want security in our communities.”

Reiterating the link between peace, security, and development, the governor noted that no meaningful progress can be achieved in an atmosphere of instability.

“The security of lives and property is the cardinal objective of any administration. The nexus between peace and security cannot be overemphasised. It is only when there is security that there will be peace; and without peace, there will be no development,” he said.

Governor Zulum was accompanied at the summit by Hon. Engr. Bukar Talba, member representing Marte, Monguno and Nganzai Federal Constituency

Zulum Calls for AI-Driven Security Reform at Kogi Summit, Urges Tackling of Root Causes of Insecurity