• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

      Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Customs Partners US Mission to Prevent Expanded Visa Ban

      Nigeria Customs Partners China on Smarter Ports, Officer Training, Reforms

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

      Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Customs Boss

      How Customs is Tightening Borders to Stop Illicit Cash Flows –…

      Customs boss, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi with NAFDAC DG Professor Moji Adeyeye

      Codeine, Tramadol Worth ₦20.5bn Seized as Customs-NAFDAC Cooperation Deepens

  • National
    • Army Commander keeps 100 students in school

      Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara

      Sam Obi Sponsors 500 students

      Sam Obi Sponsors 500 Students in Evergreen, SimplifiedIQ’s Education Program

      CG Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      NIPR Hails customs Boss’ Tenure Extension as Evidence of Transformational Leadership

      Comptroller General Customs Bashir Adewale and his staffs with the representatives of the European Union, the German Embassy

      Customs Unveils Renewable Energy Handbook, Strengthens EU-Germany-GIZ Partnership

      University of Maiduguri

      UNIMAID Mass Comm becomes Faculty of Communication and Media Studies

    • Government
      • Northern leaders at Arewa Summit

        Northern Leaders Urge Action on Almajiri Crisis, Equitable Resources at Arewa…

        Saidu Ahmed Alkali,

        Kaduna-Kano Light Rail Underway as FG Targets ₦70bn Investment

        Beyond Hoes and Sticks: The Power of Education for Peace in…

        National Blood Service Agency

        FG Pledges Stronger Support for Blood Services, Seeks Scalable Interventions from…

        Tinubu’s Government Unveils Multi-Sectoral Initiatives to Boost Northern Region’s Development

  • Security
    • Nigerian Navy

      Navy to Establish  Base in Kebbi to Tackle Inland Waterway Crimes

      Army Commander keeps 100 students in school

      Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara

      Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, receiving the land document from Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno in Akwa Ibom

      Akwa Ibom Boosts National Security with Land Donation for Nigerian Air…

      Military Troops in Action

      Army Troops, DSS Nab Arms Trafficker in Taraba, Recover Ammunition, Cash

      Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun

      IG Reaffirms Commitment to Tackling Oil Theft, Upholding Human Rights

  • Features
    • Okello Oculi

      Okello Oculi: A Pan-Africanist Asteroid Burns out Forever By Is’haq Modibbo…

      Leon Usigbe

      Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem 

      Tinubu’s Plateau Gambit – Yilwatda, 2027, and the Return of the…

      Ozumi and a recipient of a wheelchair

      Wheels of Hope: How a Simple Gift is Reshaping Lives at…

      Late Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and Mansur Liman

      “Buhari: A Blunt, Honest Leader Who Laughed at His Own Predicament”

  • State
    • court Judiciary

      Lawyer Sues Housing Ministry, FHA Over Alleged Property Redesign

      Army Commander keeps 100 students in school

      Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara

      Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, receiving the land document from Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno in Akwa Ibom

      Akwa Ibom Boosts National Security with Land Donation for Nigerian Air…

      Nigerian Army

      Army Denies Allegations of Misconduct in Imo Community

      Military Troops in Action

      Troops Repel Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Plateau, Recover Rustled Cattle, Sustain…

  • Event
    • court Judiciary

      Lawyer Sues Housing Ministry, FHA Over Alleged Property Redesign

      Sam Obi Sponsors 500 students

      Sam Obi Sponsors 500 Students in Evergreen, SimplifiedIQ’s Education Program

      Comptroller General Customs Bashir Adewale and his staffs with the representatives of the European Union, the German Embassy

      Customs Unveils Renewable Energy Handbook, Strengthens EU-Germany-GIZ Partnership

      University of Maiduguri

      UNIMAID Mass Comm becomes Faculty of Communication and Media Studies

      CG Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      Tinubu’s Extension of Customs CG Bashir Adeniyi’s Tenure Draws Widespread Praise…

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Features Kanam Ambush: The Danger of Embarking on an Unauthorized Mission By Zagazola...
  • Features
  • Security
  • State

Kanam Ambush: The Danger of Embarking on an Unauthorized Mission By Zagazola Makama

By
Zagazola Makama
-
July 10, 2025
Group of Vigilantes Patrolling a Town

Kanam Ambush: The Danger of Embarking on an Unauthorized Mission By Zagazola Makama

Let’s be honest. What happened in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State on July 6, 2025, wasn’t just tragic — it was completely avoidable. But perhaps even more disturbing than the incident itself is the barrage of misinformation and finger-pointing currently flooding social media, as people rush to blame the government and security agencies. Pause for a moment — how does that make sense?

Here are the facts: A large group of vigilantes mobilized on their own accord. They did not inform or coordinate with Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) — the joint security task force legally mandated to oversee operations in the area. They went rogue.

They set off from Kanam, claiming they were heading to Odare Forest to “deal with bandits.” Along the way, they stopped in Kukawa community where, instead of maintaining order, they reportedly attacked civilians, looted provision shops, and seized over 20 motorcycles from residents. This was not a sanctioned security mission — it was a disaster in the making.

Still, they pushed forward into the forest. Then reality hit: they walked straight into an ambush by the same armed bandits they had hoped to surprise. Eight vigilantes were killed, and several others went missing. Yes, it was tragic — but it was entirely self-inflicted.

What followed was an explosion of misleading headlines, with some media outlets irresponsibly claiming that “70 vigilantes were killed” — a grossly exaggerated figure that only served to stoke panic and outrage. What is the aim of throwing such incendiary numbers into an already volatile situation? For clicks? For chaos?

Read Also:

  • Lawyer Sues Housing Ministry, FHA Over Alleged Property Redesign
  • Navy to Establish  Base in Kebbi to Tackle Inland Waterway Crimes
  • Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara

Even worse, people on social media have started blaming the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Service Chiefs, and OPSH. But let’s ask a simple question: Who approved the vigilantes’ mission? Who did they brief? What credible intelligence were they acting on? Or did they assume bandits would welcome them with jollof rice and cold drinks?

Let’s separate emotion from fact. Operation SAFE HAVEN is not some neighborhood watch group. It is a multi-agency security task force made up of the military, police, DSS, NSCDC, and other security bodies. It works based on intelligence, logistics, and chain of command. You cannot bypass all of that, head into the forest with machetes and bravado, and expect success.

When such missions predictably fail, some are quick to scream “government failure.” No — this wasn’t a failure of government. It was a failure of process. This is what happens when people confuse bravado with bravery.

Every loss of life is painful and should never be taken lightly. But we must also hold to account reckless actions that endanger lives — and call out the misinformation that follows. OPSH confirmed eight deaths, not 70. They only learned of the incident after the ambush occurred, and were called in for a search and rescue operation.

If vigilantes — who are meant to complement formal security structures — choose to operate outside those structures, then they must also take responsibility for the consequences. OPSH wasn’t informed. The military wasn’t notified. The chain of command was ignored. Why? Because regulation would have curbed their actions — actions that, on their way to the forest, included looting and harassment of innocent civilians.

We must come to terms with the truth: securing our communities is not about showy heroics or viral outrage. It requires discipline, coordination, and professionalism.

To the media: do better. Report responsibly. Verify your facts. “70 vigilantes killed” is not a statistic — it’s a matchstick in a room filled with fuel. Even one death is too many, but exaggeration helps no one.

Let’s stop turning self-inflicted wounds into national tragedies blamed on people who had no role in the recklessness. The message going forward must be clear: coordinate with OPSH. Don’t go rogue. And if you choose to act alone, don’t cry foul when the consequences come knocking.

Enough with the dangerous mischief.

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Danger of Embarking on an Unauthorized Mission
  • Kanam Local Government Area
  • Operation Safe Haven
Previous articleAEF Slams CBN’s New BDC Policy, Cites Threat to Northern Economy and National Security
Next articlePolice Arraign 22 Suspects Over Killing of Kaduna Wedding Guests in Plateau
Zagazola Makama
Zagazola Makama

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

court Judiciary

Lawyer Sues Housing Ministry, FHA Over Alleged Property Redesign

Nigerian Navy

Navy to Establish  Base in Kebbi to Tackle Inland Waterway Crimes

Army Commander keeps 100 students in school

Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, receiving the land document from Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom Boosts National Security with Land Donation for Nigerian Air Force Base

Military Troops in Action

Army Troops, DSS Nab Arms Trafficker in Taraba, Recover Ammunition, Cash

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun

IG Reaffirms Commitment to Tackling Oil Theft, Upholding Human Rights

Nigerian Army

Army Denies Allegations of Misconduct in Imo Community

Military Troops in Action

Troops Repel Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Plateau, Recover Rustled Cattle, Sustain Casualties

Nigerian Navy Personnel

Navy Destroys 10 Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta

Military Troops in Action

Troops Kill Bandit, Seize Weapons Cache in Benue Gun Battle

Beyond Hoes and Sticks: The Power of Education for Peace in Arewa

Nigerian Air Force Welcomes 30 New Helicopter Pilots, Commissions Upgraded Facilities

Recent Posts

  • Lawyer Sues Housing Ministry, FHA Over Alleged Property Redesign
  • Navy to Establish  Base in Kebbi to Tackle Inland Waterway Crimes
  • Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara
  • Sam Obi Sponsors 500 Students in Evergreen, SimplifiedIQ’s Education Program
  • NIPR Hails customs Boss’ Tenure Extension as Evidence of Transformational Leadership
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Lawyer Sues Housing Ministry, FHA Over Alleged Property RedesignNavy to Establish  Base in Kebbi to Tackle Inland Waterway CrimesArmy Commander's Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in ZamfaraSam Obi Sponsors 500 Students in Evergreen, SimplifiedIQ's Education ProgramNIPR Hails customs Boss' Tenure Extension as Evidence of Transformational LeadershipAkwa Ibom Boosts National Security with Land Donation for Nigerian Air Force BaseCustoms Unveils Renewable Energy Handbook, Strengthens EU-Germany-GIZ PartnershipUNIMAID Mass Comm becomes Faculty of Communication and Media StudiesTinubu’s Extension of Customs CG Bashir Adeniyi’s Tenure Draws Widespread Praise and ReactionsArmy Troops, DSS Nab Arms Trafficker in Taraba, Recover Ammunition, CashIG Reaffirms Commitment to Tackling Oil Theft, Upholding Human RightsNorthern Leaders Urge Action on Almajiri Crisis, Equitable Resources at Arewa Summit in KadunaArmy Denies Allegations of Misconduct in Imo CommunityTroops Repel Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Plateau, Recover Rustled Cattle, Sustain CasualtiesNavy Destroys 10 Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta
X whatsapp