Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A newly emerged terrorist group known as “Sai Mallam” has allegedly imposed a monthly levy of ₦5 million on at least 10 rural communities in Kebbi State, threatening to seize farmlands and attack residents if the payment is not made, according to community sources who spoke to SaharaReporters. The group, which has entrenched itself in parts of Argungu and Zuru emirates after relocating to the state in the first quarter of 2026, is now recruiting vulnerable youths with promises of monthly allowances and food rations, while allegedly engaging in ritual blood sacrifices as part of its activities.
The affected communities in Argungu Emirate include Alwasa, Danba, Sarkin Gobir, Unwara, and Zazzagawa, while those in Zuru Emirate include Zodi, Tadurga, Senchi, Ciroman, and Dabai. Residents said members of the group summoned community leaders and demanded ₦5 million monthly from each of the affected villages. A community source told SaharaReporters: “They have told our people that every month they must produce ₦5m. They said if we fail to pay, they will take over our farmlands and attack our communities”. The source added that the state government publicly acknowledged the group's presence only after community leaders repeatedly raised the alarm.
The Kebbi State Government first raised the alarm over the presence of the “Sai Malam” terror-linked sect on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, during a town hall meeting between the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the North-West Geo-Political Zone, DIG Suleiman Muhammad Abdul, and security stakeholders in Birnin Kebbi. The State Security Adviser, retired Colonel Danladi Ribah, disclosed that the group was first detected in Sokoto State, where security agencies were able to contain its activities, but expressed concern over its resurgence in parts of Kebbi. “Without an iota of doubt, Sai Malam adherents are present in large numbers in Argungu. They were earlier detected in Zuru, but in smaller numbers,” Ribah said.
The sect is a terror-linked cult group that reportedly operated in parts of Sokoto State before emerging in some areas of Kebbi State. Its leader and several key members were reportedly arrested in Sokoto, but splinter groups have regrouped in Argungu Local Government Area. According to locals, members of the sect are associated with ritual practices, fraud, and the recruitment of vulnerable youths into their ranks. One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Daily Trust that the group had been operating in the state for about two years without attracting significant attention from security agencies. “I think it is because they do not operate like Lakurawa or bandits that many people have not paid attention to their presence in Kebbi State,” the resident said. “They are also a serious security threat, but unlike other terrorist groups, they are not known to carry heavy weapons. They carry light but dangerous weapons such as knives, charms, and other harmful objects which they use to attack or kill their victims”.
Another resident confirmed that members of the sect are based in Argungu township, adding that they are identifiable by their mode of dressing, which typically includes shorts and jalabiyas, and they prefer riding motorcycles popularly known as ‘rubber-rubber’, mostly painted red. “They are wealthy, and because of their wealth, many young people are attracted and recruited into the group,” the resident said. The source further alleged that the group had started recruiting vulnerable youths into its ranks, arriving in Kebbi with a strategy of luring unemployed young people with promises of monthly allowances and food supplies. “They came with a strategy. They promised young people monthly allowances and food rations. After recruiting them, they started preaching radical ideologies, convincing them that what they are doing is jihad,” the source said. “Many of those joining them are Almajiri children who were abandoned by their parents and Mallams. Most of them are not even from Kebbi State. Some are from Niger Republic and Chad”.
The revelation comes as the Kebbi State Government acknowledged the growing presence of the “Sai Mallam Terrorist Sects” in parts of the state. Speaking during the town hall meeting, Ribah said the state government is already consulting with security agencies to address the situation before it escalates. He added that Governor Nasir Idris has continued to provide logistics, material, and financial support to security services operating in the state to tackle bandits, Lakurawa, Mamudawa, and other criminal elements. Ribah also disclosed that mobile police personnel have been deployed to Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area to curb the infiltration of bandits.
However, residents expressed frustration that the government's response has been limited to issuing statements. “Issuing a statement alone cannot stop these terrorists. What the people want is for the Federal Government to deploy enough military personnel to flush them out before they become stronger,” a community source told SaharaReporters.
In a significant development, the Kebbi State Police Command clarified that the “Sai Malam” group has not been designated as a terrorist organisation under any existing proscription order. In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, the Command said it is investigating reports of the alleged resurgence of the group through actionable intelligence. The statement noted that suspects earlier prosecuted by the Police in February 2026 in Zuru were arrested and investigated in connection with alleged criminal activities. Exhibits recovered from the suspects included suspected counterfeit currencies of different countries, including the Nigerian Naira, United States Dollar, CFA Franc, and Libyan Dinar, as well as suspected ritual or occult items and other related materials. The Police further disclosed that no firearms were recovered from the suspects during the investigation. The Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order, assuring residents that it would continue to take decisive action against all forms of criminal activity.
Responding to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, represented by DIG Sulaiman Abdul, called for the immediate profiling of the group to prevent it from gaining a foothold in the state. Abdul emphasised the need for enhanced surveillance of waterways and riverine communities, which are often exploited by criminal elements for the movement of arms and other illicit activities. He directed that the ongoing “Handshake Patrols” initiative be expanded beyond land borders with Sokoto and Zamfara states to include coordinated operations along river routes linking neighbouring jurisdictions.
The emergence of the Sai Mallam sect adds to the growing list of security challenges facing Kebbi State, which already grapples with bandits, Lakurawa fighters, and Mamudawa elements. As one resident lamented, “We are tired of living in fear. The government must act now before this group becomes another Boko Haram.” The coming weeks will determine whether the authorities can contain this new threat before it metastasises into a full-blown insurgency.
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