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Kebbi State Government has raised concerns over the emergence of a new terror group known as “Sai Malam,” warning that the sect is attempting to establish a foothold in parts of the state.
The alarm was raised by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Home Affairs, retired Col. Hassan Riba, during a stakeholders’ security meeting with the Inspector-General of Police in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was represented at the meeting by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Sulaiman Abdul.
Speaking at the forum, Riba disclosed that members of the group were first identified in the Zuru Emirate, where security agencies reportedly moved in and disrupted their activities.
He, however, expressed concern that the group had resurfaced in other parts of the state despite the earlier operation.
“We have a pressing security concern with the emergence of a group called ‘Sai Malam’. We discovered and dislodged them in Zuru, but they have appeared again in Argungu,” he said.
According to him, intelligence reports suggest that members of the sect engage in ritual practices involving blood sacrifices, a development he described as disturbing.
Riba urged security agencies, particularly the police, to closely monitor the activities of the group and take decisive action before it becomes a major security threat.
He also stressed the importance of collaboration between traditional rulers, community leaders and security agencies in maintaining peace and stability across the state.
The security adviser noted that the state government had continued to support federal security efforts through the provision of logistics and operational assistance to security agencies.
He added that Mobile Police personnel had been deployed to Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area to prevent further infiltration by bandits and other criminal elements.
Governor Nasir Idris, represented by Permanent Secretary Kabir Adamu, reiterated the administration’s commitment to strengthening security operations across the state.
According to him, the government has provided vehicles, motorcycles and other operational equipment to security agencies to boost their effectiveness in tackling insecurity.
The governor also highlighted the crucial role of traditional institutions in intelligence gathering and community-based security efforts.
Responding to the concerns raised, the Inspector-General of Police said security agencies would move swiftly to profile and assess the new group to prevent it from expanding its activities.
Represented by DIG Abdul, the IGP stressed the need for proactive measures to stop the sect before it develops into a larger security challenge.
He also called for increased surveillance of waterways and riverine areas, which he said are often used by criminal groups to transport weapons and other illicit materials.
The police chief appealed to residents, traditional rulers and community leaders to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence.
He assured stakeholders that information shared with security operatives would be treated with utmost confidentiality and used to enhance public safety.
The meeting was attended by traditional rulers, district heads, security chiefs, community leaders and representatives of various groups across the state as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration in the fight against insecurity.
