Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kebbi State Government has firmly dismissed recent reports claiming the emergence of a new insurgent group known as "Sai Malam" in parts of the state, insisting that the suspects are members of a cybercrime syndicate rather than terrorists. Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed, made the clarification on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, during a visit to the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali M. Ali, in Abuja.
Describing the reports as "an outright lie" and "calculated misinformation" orchestrated for political purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections, Ahmed said investigations by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police had confirmed that no such terrorist group exists in Kebbi State. "What they found out was that instead of a terror group, what we are talking about is a group of young people who are into cybercrimes, manipulating the computer and reaching out to government officials and people who they believe have money," Ahmed stated. He added that arrests had already been made and confirmed that the group referred to as "Sai Malam" is the same "Yan Vocal" gang.
The Kebbi State Police Command had earlier issued a statement clarifying that the reports originated from a misunderstanding of the activities of a cybercrime syndicate locally known as "Yan Vocal," operating mainly in Argungu Local Government Area. Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, explained that the syndicate, comprising young persons between the ages of 19 and 24, specialises in hacking social media accounts, creating fake online identities, and using blackmail, threats, and other deceptive tactics to extort money from unsuspecting victims. Their targets include high-profile individuals such as political office holders, traditional and religious leaders, business owners, and other prominent personalities within and outside Nigeria.
According to the police, the group operates by deploying sophisticated online techniques, including the use of video editing applications and pre-recorded nude videos to deceive victims into believing they are engaged in live video calls with women. Victims are subsequently threatened with public exposure unless financial demands are met.
Between June 26 and 30, 2026, the Command, through a coordinated intelligence-led operation, arrested thirteen suspects linked to the syndicate. Among those arrested are Ahmed Nasir, Rabiu Sani, Sadiq Umar, and Umar Nasir – all of Argungu – who conspired to obtain nude images of a female victim and demanded ₦1,000,000 from her under threat of exposure. Other suspects were arrested for their involvement in online extortion through the use of nude pictures, with one case involving a victim allegedly defrauded of ₦3,000,000 after a video was manipulated to falsely portray the victim as being on a live video call with a naked woman.
Police Commissioner Umar M. Hadejia warned that cybercrime remains a serious criminal offence with grave consequences. He called on parents and guardians to closely monitor the online activities of their wards and discourage involvement in fraudulent activities. He further advised members of the public to exercise caution on social media, protect their personal information, avoid suspicious online interactions, and promptly report cases of cyber extortion or blackmail to the nearest police station. All arrested suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
The commissioner also rejected a separate media report claiming that more than 130 children die daily in Kebbi State due to a high child mortality rate. He described the figure as false and accused political opponents of spreading misleading information to damage the image of Governor Nasir Idris' administration. "If they are dying at 130 daily, in the next one year, there will be no child left in Kebbi State. So that is a complete lie," Ahmed said. He further claimed that UNICEF had contacted the state government to say the report did not originate from the organisation.
Ahmed reaffirmed the state government's commitment to tackling insecurity through logistics support to security agencies, while backing the establishment of state police to improve response to local security challenges. "If the current policing system is not delivering the desired results, we need to consider new approaches. State police will improve response to local security issues," he said.
In his response, NAN Managing Director Ali M. Ali said the growth of citizen journalism and artificial intelligence had made fake news easier to spread. He urged government information officials to be more proactive in sharing verified information. Ali assured the delegation that NAN, as Africa's largest news content provider with about 600 field reporters operating under strict standards of factual accuracy, would continue to partner with the state government in sensitising the public.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments