The Kebbi State Government has raised concerns over the emergence of a new terrorist group identified as “Sai Malam” in the state, warning security agencies to take urgent steps to prevent the group from gaining ground.
The state government’s Special Adviser on Security and Home Affairs, Col. Hassanv Riba (rtd), disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, in Birnin Kebbi.
Riba said the group was first discovered in Zuru Emirate, where security agencies successfully dislodged its members, but added that the group had resurfaced in other parts of the state.
According to him, the sect was recently sighted in Argungu, raising concerns over its possible spread and activities across Kebbi.
“We have one burning issue now, which is the discovery of another terror group. They are called ‘Sai Malam.’ We dislodged them in Zuru when we discovered them. But I was in Argungu and I saw them again,” Riba said.
He alleged that members of the group engage in activities involving blood rituals among themselves, urging the police and other security agencies to take decisive action against the sect.
Riba also stressed the importance of traditional rulers and community leaders in maintaining peace and supporting security efforts through intelligence sharing.
The security adviser added that the state government was providing logistics support to security agencies, including the deployment of mobile police personnel to Danko-Wasagu to tackle the activities of bandits and other criminal groups.
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, represented by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Sulaiman Abdul, said security agencies must profile the new group before it grows into a major threat.
The police leadership urged residents, traditional rulers and community leaders to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could help prevent insecurity in the state.
