Governor Rejects Ex-General’s Call for Self-Defense…Nigerian Officials Seize Cocaine in Religious Books, Arrest Drug Courier for Bandits…Christians Rise in Protest as Fulani Militia Attacks Engulfs Plateau Communities…Prisoner’s Mattress Fire Mistaken for Bomb Blast
● Governor Opposes Call for Nigerians to Arm Themselves Against Islamic Terrorists
Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi on Monday pushed back against comments by retired Nigerian Army General Theophilus Danjuma, who urged citizens to defend themselves amid rising insecurity.
In a televised interview monitored by Nigerian media, Namadi warned the statement could trigger chaos. “He’s a respected senior security figure, but saying people should defend themselves is a call for anarchy,” he said.
Danjuma, speaking Saturday at an event in Taraba State, had warned that relying on the government for protection “is no longer realistic,” urging Nigerians to “rise and defend themselves” against terrorists and criminal gangs.
Namadi said security remains the government’s responsibility and warned, “We’ve not reached the level where people need to defend themselves.”
● Nigerian Anti-Drug Unit Arrests Bandits’ Drug Courier, Seizes Cocaine in Religious Books
Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), arrested a 22-year-old man allegedly supplying drugs to terrorists, and in a separate bust, seized cocaine stashed inside religious books bound for Saudi Arabia.
Muhammad Mohammed was caught April 13 with 277 ampoules of pentazocine, a powerful painkiller, taped to his thighs and groin. Officials say he was en route to deliver the drugs to bandits in northern Katsina State.
Two days later, the NDLEA intercepted 500 grams of cocaine hidden in 20 religious books at a courier facility in Lagos. The books were part of a shipment headed to Saudi Arabia.
The agency also reported other seizures, including nearly 3kg of cannabis from a U.S. shipment.
● Church Leaders Lead Protest in Nigeria’s Plateau Over Fulani Militia Killings
Hundreds of Christians in Jos, the capital city of Plateau State in central Nigeria, took to the streets Monday to protest a wave of deadly attacks by Fulani militia which have claimed over 100 lives in the past two weeks.
The peaceful demonstration, led by prominent church leaders, caused significant traffic delays as protesters marched with placards bearing messages such as “Stop the bloodshed” and “Every life matters.”
“We are not happy over the continuous attacks and killings by gunmen in our communities. That’s why we have come out again to protest these happenings,” Gyang Dalyop, a protester, told The Punch. Another protester, Hannatu Philip, warned that the government must act urgently before the situation spirals out of control.
The escalating attacks have drawn national and international attention. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the killings as “coordinated acts of terror” and has announced new security measures, including a ban on night grazing and the movement of motorcycles after 7:00 p.m. local time.
● Nigerian Inmate Sets Mattress on Fire, Officials Deny Bomb Blast Report
Nigerian prison officials are denying reports of a bomb explosion at a maximum-security facility in Maiduguri, Borno State, saying an inmate intentionally set fire to his mattress in an apparent stunt.
Charles Okah, a high-profile detainee who has been in custody since March 16, allegedly ignited the fire Sunday night using a box of matches, then shouted from his cell window to raise alarm. Correctional officers quickly responded and extinguished the flames. No injuries or structural damage were reported.
“There is no evidence of any explosive device, and there was no external breach or attack on the facility,” an official, cited by Zagazola Makama, said.
Okah reportedly accessed matches during an Easter church service. He was taken to the prison clinic and is in stable condition.
Authorities say Okah has a history of causing disruptions. They also refuted claims that no guards were on duty, confirming officers acted swiftly to contain the situation.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
