News Rendezvous

Numan, Adamawa State | November 25, 2025

Serious concerns are emerging after security agencies chose to escort rather than detain more than 550 suspicious travellers intercepted in two trailers at the Numan Bridge, despite the nationwide climate of heightened insecurity.The trailers, with registration numbers NNY 236 XA (Yobe) and GAS 330 XA (Taraba), were first intercepted by local vigilante groups before being handed over to security forces.

Rendezvous gathered that after a preliminary profiling, it was discovered that about 50 percent of the travellers originated from Niger Republic, a country currently facing deep security instability following coups, militia infiltration, and cross-border criminal movement.

The remaining travellers were from Yobe and Katsina States. None reportedly provided a clear or credible explanation for their mass movement into Adamawa.Given the worsening trend of kidnappings, bandit attacks, cross-border infiltration, and expanding operations of armed groups across the Sahel and northern Nigeria, observers say the arrival of hundreds of undocumented travellers many from a country with porous borders and active militant movement should have prompted a far more decisive security response.

WHY WERE THERE NO ARRESTS OR DETENTION?

Security analysts and community leaders are questioning why security agencies did not detain the travellers for proper investigation.“With half of the travellers coming from Niger Republic one of the main entry routes for foreign fighters, illegal migrants, and arms smugglers was that not enough reason to order an immediate arrest and intelligence-driven interrogation?” a security analyst asked.A

RED FLAG FOR NUMAN?

The Numan axis has suffered years of deadly herdsmen attacks, communal violence, and displacement, making it one of Adamawa’s most sensitive security zones. The sudden arrival of hundreds of undocumented travellers many foreign has raised fears of a potential coordinated infiltration.Residents argue that Numan’s violent history should have compelled heightened vigilance and decisive enforcement, not a swift escort out of the state.

WHO ORDERED THE ESCORT INSTEAD OF APPREHENSION?

A major question being asked across Adamawa is:Who instructed the Immigration, Police, and Military officers to escort the travellers back to the Adamawa–Gombe boundary instead of detaining them?Under standard security protocol, such a mass influx of undocumented individuals, especially foreign nationals from a high-risk neighbouring country, should attract:immediate arrest,thorough screening,intelligence profiling,verification of travel purpose,and possible prosecution for illegal entry.Instead, they were escorted out with instructions to “return to where they are coming from.”The US secretary of war, Pete Hegseth, had strongly stated that the Nigerian security situation is a result of complicity of government officials, and this situation is a clear pointer to that.And Residents in Adamawa now wonder:What if these individuals regroup elsewhere and pose threats to other Nigerian communities?Is Adamawa safe simply because they were turned back?Would any traditional or political leader accept such persons being dropped near their communities?

IF NUMAN OR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES ARE ATTACKED, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

Citizens insist that if any attack occurs following this incident, the following officials must be held accountable for negligence:The National Security Adviser (NSA) who hails from AdamawaAdamawa State Government security operatorsThe Service ChiefsHeads of federal security agencies operating in the stateMany describe the handling of the incident as a dangerous intelligence failure with potentially severe consequences.

SOME PRAISE SECURITY AGENCIES, BUT MAJORITY WANT ANSWERS

While a few residents praised the Police Commissioner, Army officers, and Immigration for their “quick response,” the majority argue that:Quick response is not the same as effective security.They believe the failure to detain and thoroughly investigate the travellers is a missed opportunity to prevent possible danger, especially given the regional instability emanating from Niger Republic and the porous northern borders exploited by criminal networks.As Adamawa continues to confront threats from violent groups, citizens insist that the priority must shift from surface-level intervention to intelligence-based prevention, with a proactive approach rather than reactive escort actions.