Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has refuted claims that the five police officers killed in Darazo Local Government Area died in a bandit attack, insisting the incident stemmed from a local dispute.
The Bauchi State Police Command had earlier reported that the officers were ambushed by suspected bandits in Sabon Sara village while responding to distress calls from residents.
The command’s spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, said the personnel were attacked during an operation in the troubled community.
However, speaking at the opening of the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, the governor dismissed the banditry narrative, describing it as inaccurate.
“We had an incident in Darazo reported as banditry. But I want to tell you clearly that it is not banditry; it is a community issue. We are on the ground, we know the situation, and we will handle it very well,” Mohammed said.
He added that security agencies had advised the closure of schools over intelligence pointing to possible student abductions, but stressed that the Darazo incident should not be linked to the bandit attacks recorded in other states.
“Yes, we closed our schools because security agencies told us there was a likelihood of abduction of students, as has happened in other states. But what happened in Darazo should not be mistaken for banditry,” he explained.
The governor said the decision to temporarily shut schools was a proactive measure aimed at safeguarding children, noting that intelligence from security agencies often guides such actions.
“It’s not to create fear but to ensure safety. It is better to prevent danger than act out of ego. We will continue to secure vulnerable and hard-to-reach schools, and all our schools must be fenced and properly lit before the end of the year,” he announced.
Mohammed also disclosed that the ongoing recruitment of vigilantes across the state would run alongside the implementation of the Safe School Programme under the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“We will do our own part and leave the rest to our Creator, Allah (SWA),” he added.
The governor assured residents and investors that the state remained committed to strengthening security and addressing the specific circumstances that led to the Darazo incident.
