By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – The Arewa Youth Ambassadors (AYA) have called for an independent review of the 45-year prison sentence handed to local hunter and community security volunteer, Musa Shehu Aljan, saying the circumstances surrounding his arrest, trial and eventual conviction remain unclear, unsettling, and damaging to public trust in the justice system.

In a statement signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Yahaya Abdullahi, AYA described Aljan as a familiar figure across several Northern communities, known for supporting security agencies in tracking and arresting suspected bandits and kidnappers.

Abdullahi said the questions around his conviction raise deeper concerns about due process, transparency and how the state treats citizens who step forward to help keep their communities safe.

He noted that Aljan had a long record of assisting security personnel, often intercepting suspects and handing them over to authorities, including the Divisional Police Officer in Toro Local Government and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led by CSP Yusuf Makama.

AYA said the opacity surrounding Aljan’s prosecution points to possible institutional lapses that could discourage ordinary people from cooperating with security forces in the fight against banditry.

“A man who risked his life to support community safety should not be left without a transparent and credible review of his case. Silent injustices fuel insecurity, undermine public trust, and discourage citizens who assist security efforts,” the statement read.

The group explained that concerns deepened after Aljan reportedly arrested certain high-profile suspects, claiming this set off a chain of events that ultimately led to his detention and prosecution, though the full details remain unknown to them.

According to AYA, Aljan responded to what he believed was a routine official invitation but ended up being detained, moved between different security facilities, and eventually transferred to a correctional centre. The group said the circumstances surrounding these transfers have never been clearly communicated.

AYA added that conflicting accounts about the conditions of his detention and how his trial unfolded make it even harder to understand how the case progressed to conviction. They said they are unaware of any publicly accessible records explaining the proceedings that resulted in his 45-year sentence.

The group argued that the lack of documentation and transparency raises legitimate questions about fairness and the integrity of the process.

AYA also pointed to Aljan’s track record of helping to secure rural communities, warning that the uncertainty surrounding his case could discourage other volunteers, vigilantes and hunters who risk their lives to support the fight against banditry.

They urged the Federal Government, the National Security Adviser, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and other oversight institutions to reopen the case, probe the circumstances of Aljan’s arrest and detention, and hold accountable any security agencies that previously received suspects from him.

According to AYA, only a transparent and independent review can rebuild public confidence and protect the crucial role community volunteers play in supporting security operations across Northern Nigeria.