Zagazola Media Network Hails Army for Reinstating Zamfara Cadet Cleared of Indigene Certificate Allegation
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army has reinstated Habila Ezra, a Direct Short Service Course cadet who was withdrawn from training over allegations that he submitted a forged Zamfara State certificate of indigeneship.
Credible sources informed Zagazola Makama that Habila has returned to the training institution and resumed military training following a review of his case by the Army authorities.
Investigations into the matter exonerated Habila Ezra of all the allegations and confirmed that the certificate of indigeneship he submitted was genuine.
The findings established that he is a Hausa indigene of Salankawa Ward in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Family and community records identified him as a son of the late Ezra Mohammed Dawa, a member of the larger Dawa family in Bungudu. His mother, Indo Mohammed Bawa, was also identified as an indigene of Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
He attended primary and secondary schools in Zamfara State.
He later proceeded to the Nigerian Army University, Biu, in Borno State, where he graduated with a degree in cybersecurity. He subsequently completed his National Youth Service Corps programme.
At the time he applied for and was selected to join the Direct Short Service Course, Habila was pursuing postgraduate studies in cybercrime at the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Zagazola Makama further gathered that suspicions about Habila’s identity arose following protests reportedly made by some unsuccessful candidates in March 2026. The matter later resurfaced in July, months after he had made significant progress in his training.
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The candidates allegedly argued that the names “Ezra” and “Habila” were not associated with indigenous people of Zamfara State. Sources said the objections appeared to question, on religious grounds, the existence and indigene status of Christian communities in the state.
Subsequent investigations and verification by the relevant authorities, however, confirmed Habila’s identity, family background and ancestral ties to Zamfara State.
The investigations found no evidence that he forged the certificate or knowingly presented a false document during screening for the Army’s 2026 Direct Short Service Course.
Sources said an error during the initial verification of the certificate further compounded the controversy. Additional checks established that the document was genuinely issued by Bungudu Local Government Area.
Following the findings, the Army authorities reviewed the circumstances surrounding Habila’s withdrawal and directed him to return to training.
The Zagazola Makama Media Network commended the Nigerian Army for reviewing the case and reinstating the cadet, describing the decision as a demonstration of fairness, justice and institutional accountability.
The network also praised the Army authorities for acting on the findings of the investigation and ensuring that Habila’s military ambition was not derailed by allegations found to be unsubstantiated.
Habila has since resumed training, bringing an end to the controversy surrounding his admission into the military programme.
As a matter of principle and conviction, the Zagazola Makama Media Network reaffirmed its commitment to exposing injustices arising from religious and ethnic extremism, profiling, stereotyping and harmful generalisations. It also pledged to challenge practices that shield individuals whose actions undermine justice and societal progress.