Tension has gripped the peaceful town of Yelwa in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State after the Council of Ulama strongly rejected claims by the Nigerian military that two young men from the community are members of the terrorist group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The two men, identified as Abdulkadir Dalhatu and Ubaidu Hassan, both 25 years old, are popular tailors in Yelwa and were recently arrested by troops under Operation Safe Haven. The military accused them of being members of an ISWAP cell operating in Plateau State, a claim the local Muslim leadership says is false and damaging.
In a statement issued by the military on Saturday, April 12, 2025, and signed by Major Samson Nantip Zahkom, the Media Information Officer of Operation Safe Haven, it was announced that the military had conducted a sting operation in Yelwa on April 11. According to the release, the troops “busted an ISWAP cell” and arrested the two tailors, who were described as posing as ordinary businessmen.
The announcement, which was widely circulated in the media and accompanied by the photos of the two suspects, also claimed that arms were recovered during the operation and that a bandit had been neutralised.
But community leaders and residents in Yelwa have reacted with shock and anger, insisting that no such military operation took place in the town on that date and that the two men are innocent.
In a detailed statement signed by its top leaders — Imam Abdulkarim Salihu (Chairman), Imam Abubakar Nuhu Gambo (Secretary), and Imam Armaya’u Abdulkadir Ismail (Treasurer) — the Council of Ulama of Yelwa condemned the terrorism allegation, calling it false and unjust.
“We wish to state categorically that there was no such operation by troops of the task force on the said date in Yelwa,” the council said. Instead, they gave a different account of how the arrest occurred.
According to the statement, on April 10, a stranger — described as a tall, fair-complexioned man in his early 40s — arrived in Yelwa and began taking photographs around the tailoring shop where the two young men work, located in front of the Abdullahi Baraya Family Compound on Ibbi Road.
The stranger’s suspicious behavior drew the attention of the tailors and passersby. When asked to identify himself, he claimed to be on official duty but refused to provide further details. This led to the involvement of a respected elder in the community, Mr. Suleiman Abdullahi Baraya, who attempted to mediate.
The situation escalated when the stranger made a phone call, after which police officers arrived and took the two tailors and Mr. Baraya to the police post in Yelwa. From there, they were transferred to the 332 Artillery Regiment Army Barracks in Shendam for interrogation.
Mr. Baraya, who has since been released, told the council that the military believed a suspected ISWAP member had once visited the tailoring shop, and that the stranger who came snapping photos was an intelligence officer on a covert mission.
The council expressed disappointment and shock that within 24 hours of the arrest, photos of Abdulkadir and Ubaidu appeared in media publications with labels describing them as terrorists.
“This was utterly shocking for our entire community,” the council said. “These two young men are well known in Yelwa to be morally upright, law-abiding, and hardworking. They do not deserve to be treated this way.”
They emphasized that the allegations have not only harmed the reputation of the young men but also caused emotional and psychological distress to their families and the larger community.
The Council of Ulama urged Operation Safe Haven to carry out its investigation professionally and to avoid rushing to conclusions that could damage innocent lives.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to reiterate that Abdulkadir Dalhatu and Ubaidu Hassan are both known in our community to be law-abiding, morally sound, and ethically virtuous,” the council stressed.
They called for the immediate release of the two men, stating that their arrest has disrupted their source of livelihood, and placed a burden on their already struggling families.
“We request that they be allowed to return to their tailoring shop and continue earning a living,” the council added.
The incident has raised broader questions about the methods used by security agencies in identifying and arresting suspected terrorists. Civil society groups and legal experts have previously warned about the dangers of labeling people without concrete evidence, especially in communities already facing economic and social challenges.
Yelwa, a mostly peaceful town in southern Plateau, has had its share of past communal conflicts, but in recent years has been relatively calm. Community members fear that this incident, if not handled properly, could stir up tension and distrust between residents and the military.
“We want peace, but we also want justice,” a local youth leader, Musa Ibrahim, said. “Security forces must stop profiling innocent people based on unverified suspicions.”
As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from Operation Safe Haven addressing the Ulama Council’s claims. The whereabouts and condition of the two arrested youths remain unknown, although they were reportedly transferred from Shendam to Jos for further questioning.
The Council of Ulama, supported by local residents and religious groups, has vowed to continue demanding justice until the young men are cleared and released.
This case comes at a time when Nigeria is battling multiple security threats across different regions, including terrorism, banditry, and communal violence. Authorities have urged citizens to support security operations, but cases like this one may erode public trust if not transparently handled.
