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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified the circumstances surrounding the border incident involving Nigerian vigilante elements and soldiers of the Niger Republic at Mazanya community in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, assuring that concrete steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the DHQ said the incident occurred on 29 November 2025 at about 1500 hours when a convoy of Nigerien troops crossed into Mazanya to fetch water, a routine practice historically carried out by soldiers from the neighbouring country.
According to the DHQ, the Nigerien convoy—comprising four gun trucks and a Toyota Jeep—appeared unusually large, prompting local vigilantes to wrongly assume that the foreign troops were making a hostile advance. “This misunderstanding led to the vigilantes opening fire on the Nigerien troops,” the statement said.
The DHQ noted that calm was restored after Nigerian security authorities engaged the Nigerien commander present at the scene. The Nigerien troops later fetched the required water and safely returned to their side of the border. During the engagement, the Nigerien commander acknowledged the concerns raised and emphasized the need for prior liaison before any future cross-border movements, especially those involving large formations or visiting senior officers.
To reinforce coordination and prevent further misunderstandings, the Defence Headquarters convened a Joint Border Security Meeting on 1 December 2025. The session, held between Nigerian and Nigerien security authorities, reviewed existing protocols and agreed on enhanced communication arrangements for all cross-border activities.
Major General Onoja reaffirmed Nigeria’s longstanding cultural, economic, and security ties with the Republic of Niger, stressing that both nations remain committed partners in combating terrorism, smuggling, illegal migration, and other transnational threats. He assured border communities that there is no cause for alarm.
“Lessons drawn from the incident are being taken seriously, and concrete measures are already underway to ensure that such misunderstandings do not recur,” Onoja stated.
The DHQ urged residents of Mazanya and other border communities in Jibia LGA to remain calm but vigilant, adding that security agencies from both countries are working closely to safeguard lives and maintain stability along the shared frontier.
