Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said the five police officers who were killed in Darazo Local Government Area were not attacked by bandits, correcting earlier claims made by the state police command.
The Bauchi State Police Command had on Sunday announced that five personnel died after suspected gunmen ambushed them in Sabon Sara village while they were responding to distress calls.
The command’s spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, said the officers were attacked during the operation.
But speaking at the opening of the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, Governor Mohammed said the killings were tied to local community issues and not bandit attacks.
He said, “We had an incident in Darazo reported as banditry. But I want to tell you that it is not banditry; it is a community issue. We are on the ground, we know it, and we will handle it very well.”
The governor also noted that although security agencies advised the state to close schools due to possible student abductions, the Darazo case should not be linked to wider insecurity involving bandits.
He said, “Because of security reasons, I will not divulge all the information. But our investors should be assured that what happened in Darazo is not banditry.”
Mohammed explained that the temporary school closure was a safety measure, adding that security agencies often have deeper intelligence.
He said, “It’s not to create fear but to be safe and secure. It’s better than going with ego. We will make sure we do as much as we can to secure vulnerable and hard-to-reach schools, including fencing them before the end of the year.
“All our schools must be fenced, with lighting and other safety measures.”
He added that the recruitment of vigilantes would continue alongside the Safe School Programme under the Office of the National Security Adviser.
He said, “At least, we will do our own part and leave the rest to our Creator, Allah.”
