The Council of Ulama in Yelwa, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, has strongly rejected the labeling of two young tailors from the town as members of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), describing the accusation as false and damaging.
This follows a statement issued on Saturday, April 12, by the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) task force, which claimed that a coordinated operation led to the arrest of suspected ISWAP members in Yelwa. Among those named were 25-year-old Abdulkadir Dalhatu and Ubaidu Hassan, both well-known tailors in the community.
The OPSH, in a press release signed by its Media Officer, Major Samson Nantip Zahkom, said the suspects were arrested during a sting operation conducted on April 11.
However, the Ulama Council, in a statement signed by its leaders—Imam Abdulkarim Salihu (Chairman), Imam Abubakar Nuhu Gambo (Secretary), and Imam Armaya’u Abdulkadir Ismail (Treasurer)—disputed the military's account, saying no such operation occurred in Yelwa on the stated date. They maintained that the two youths are innocent and well-respected within the community.
According to the council, the incident began when a suspicious man was seen taking photos of the tailoring shop on April 10. The youths questioned the man’s motives after he refused to properly identify himself. Shortly after, police arrived and took the two youths, along with an elder who intervened, to the police post. They were then transferred to the 332 Artillery Regiment in Shendam for questioning.
The council explained that the military informed the elder, Mr. Suleiman Abdullahi Baraya—who has since been released—that the operation aimed to trace a suspected terrorist who had once visited the tailoring shop. The man taking photographs was allegedly an undercover intelligence officer.
The community was shocked to see the two young men labeled as terrorists in media reports before any proper investigation was concluded.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we reiterate that Abdulkadir and Ubaidu are known to be law-abiding and morally upright. The terrorist tag is unjust and damaging,”; the statement read.
The Ulama Council has called on the military authorities to conduct their investigation professionally and without harm to the lives and livelihoods of the young men. They are also demanding the immediate release of the detainees so they can return to their legitimate trade and continue supporting their families.
