Rita Odafe
The Nigerian Army has rejected claims regarding the illegal detention and mistreatment of a POS operator, identified as Nansak Selbar, allegedly instructed by Major General Nansak Shagaya.
Reports indicate that Selbar, who also teaches, was apprehended on November 7, 2024, while on duty at Nyak Government Secondary School in Shendam Local Government Area, Plateau State. Since his arrest, he has reportedly been barred from obtaining legal counsel or appearing in court to address his charges.
In a statement released on January 4, 2025, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations at the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, dismissed social media assertions that the Army and General Shagaya would incur a fine of N100 million due to Selbar’s alleged illegal detention.
The Army’s statement labeled these claims as untrue, offensive, and misleading, urging the public to ignore such information.
It clarified that Selbar was arrested for his involvement in kidnapping activities, which included accepting ransom payments on behalf of kidnappers and procuring military gear for criminal groups. He was also accused of scamming individuals by masquerading as a recruiter for the Nigerian Army.
“The 3 Division Nigerian Army has been made aware of a social media article alleging that the Nigerian Army and Major General Nansak Shagaya risk 100 million naira due to the illegal detention of POS operator Nansak Selbar, who is purportedly gravely ill,” the statement read.
“The defamatory article, supposedly from one Alex Giwa on January 3, 2025, contains various unfounded assertions, including allegations of illegal detention and the serious health of Mr. Selbar.
“This article, circulated by individuals with ill intent, seems aimed at misguiding the public and fostering negative sentiments towards security agencies. We must clearly state that the narratives in this article are false and should be completely disregarded by the public.
“To clarify, Mr. Selbar’s arrest was due to his role in kidnapping activities, specifically receiving ransom on behalf of kidnappers.
“Investigations revealed that he also sought military uniforms and equipment for bandits, and engaged in fraud by falsely recruiting individuals for the Nigerian Army. Due to these serious allegations related to terrorism, we invoked the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act (TPPA) 2022 and obtained an Order from a competent court to continue his detention for investigation, after which he will be handed over to the appropriate agency for further action.
“It is unfortunate that the suspect’s lawyer, who should be knowledgeable about the TPPA 2022, chose to attack the legal processes involved to manipulate public perception against established institutions.
“There is no truth in the claim that Major General Nansak Shagaya instructed the suspect’s detention. It is essential to emphasize that he is in custody as per legal provisions for inquiries into activities detrimental to national security.
“It is disturbing that this misleading article is being spread by those wishing to incite public discontent against the security forces.
“We caution those engaged in creating chaos and falsehoods against security agencies that this behavior must stop. Security forces are diligently working to eliminate criminal activity in society.
“We urge journalists, particularly bloggers, to take their roles seriously. In this fast-paced digital environment, they have significant influence over narratives. With such influence comes great responsibility; fact-checking should be a priority before disseminating stories or information.
“The spread of fake news can lead to significant consequences, including unrest, confusion, and growing division between the security sector and the public.
“The 3 Division Nigerian Army remains dedicated to maintaining the safety of communities within its jurisdiction. We encourage community members to continue providing timely intelligence to help in the fight against criminal elements.”
