By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Nigerian Military High Command on Tuesday December 2, 2025, gave an insight into the actual circumstances surrounding the misunderstanding between Katsina State local vigilante operatives and Nigerien security forces.
The Source reports that the local vigilante members had reportedly opened fire on the convoy of Security Personnel from Niger Republic, thus sparking both diplomatic and military tension between the two sister countries.
But the Defence Headquarters attributed the incident which occurred in Mazanya Village ,Jibia Local Council of Katsina state on November 29, 2025, to a minor misunderstanding and misjudgment.
A statement from the spokesperson for the Nigerian Military High Command, Major General Michael Onoja, informed that on the said day ,a convoy of four gun trucks and a Toyota SUV, laden with Nigerien security operatives had crossed over to Mazanya Village in Katsina to fetch water as usually done by the country’s troops within the border in the past.
However, the unprecedented high number of the vehicles in the convoy ,as well as the troops were said to have sparked suspicion among the vigilante operatives who mistook them for advancing enemies, prompting them to open fire.
General Onoja informed that high level discussions between the military authorities of the two West African countries led to an amicable resolution of the misunderstanding and the Nigerien troops allowed to continue with their water-drawing mission.
According to Onoja ,the DHQ convened a high level joint Border Security Meeting on Monday December 1 ,2025, to resolve and strengthen liaison arrangements between the two sister countries, with a view to preventing such similar incident.
He emphasized that lessons drawn from the incident are being taken seriously, and noted that they are being used to form concrete measures to ensure such misunderstandings do not reoccur
This is as he reaffirmed the long-standing cultural, economic and security ties between the two countries , expressing the optimism that both countries will continue to cooperate and collaborate in addressing terrorism, smuggling, illegal migration and other transborder criminal activities.
“The DHQ wishes to officially address and clarify the circumstances surrounding the border incident involving Nigerian local vigilante elements and Nigerien troops at Mazanya Village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State on November 29, 2025 at approximately 1500 hours.
“This statement aims to correct misinformation, reassure the public and highlight ongoing efforts to strengthen cross-border coordination with the Republic of Niger in order to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“A convoy consisting of four gun trucks and one Toyota jeep carrying Nigerien military officers and soldiers entered Mazanya community to fetch water — a routine activity historically conducted by troops from the Niger Republic.
“But the unusually large size of the convoy raised concern among local vigilante members ,who mistakenly perceived the movement as a potential hostile advance.
“This misunderstanding led to the vigilantes opening fire on the Nigerien troops .
“Following dialogue between Nigerian security authorities and the Nigerien Commander on the ground, the Nigerien troops proceeded to fetch the required water and returned to their side of the border without further incident..
“The Commander emphasized the importance of prior liaison ,and communication before any future cross-border water-fetching missions., particularly when involving large troop formations, or visits by senior commanders.
“The situation is fully under control and both Nigerian and Nigerien authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the safety of civilians living along the border” General Onoja stated .
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