Birnin Kebbi: The Kebbi Police Command has dismissed reports alleging the existence of a terrorist group known as “Sai Mallam” operating in parts of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Bashir Usman, made the clarification in a statement issued on Monday in Birnin Kebbi.
Usman said investigations revealed that the reports stemmed from the activities of a cybercrime syndicate involved in online fraud and blackmail.
He said the command established that no terrorist group known as “Sai Mallam” exists in Kebbi, contrary to reports circulating in some quarters.
According to him, the misconception arose from the activities of a cybercrime syndicate locally known as “Yan Vocal”, operating mainly in Argungu Local Government Area.
He explained that members of the syndicate, mostly youths aged between 19 and 24, specialised in hacking social media accounts, creating fake online identities, and using blackmail, threats, and other deceptive tactics to extort money from unsuspecting victims.
“The syndicate targets political office holders, traditional and religious leaders, business owners, and other prominent personalities within and outside Nigeria.
“They use sophisticated online techniques, including video-editing applications and pre-recorded nude videos, to deceive victims into believing they are in live video conversations with women.
“The victims are then threatened with public exposure unless they comply with financial demands or other requests,” he said.
The police spokesman said that between June 26 and June 29, the command carried out intelligence-led operations that led to the arrest of 13 suspected members of the syndicate.
He identified some of the suspects as Ahmed Nasir, Rabiu Sani, Sadiq Umar, and Umar Nasir, all of Argungu, who allegedly conspired to obtain nude images of a female victim and demanded N1 million from her under threat of exposure.
Usman added that Faisal Muhammed and Abbas Baraye were arrested for alleged involvement in online extortion using nude photographs.
He said Abdullahi Abubakar, Abdulhamid Mukhtar, and Al’amin Aminu allegedly defrauded a victim of N3 million after manipulating a video to falsely portray the victim in a live call with a naked woman.
“Similarly, Haliru Bashar, Abubakar Faruk, Almustapha Munnir, and Saifullahi Nata’ala were alleged to have obtained a nude video of a female acquaintance through a sex-related Snapchat group and threatened to release it for personal gain,” he said.
The spokesman quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Hadejia, as warning that cybercrime remains a serious offence with severe legal consequences.
Hadejia urged parents and guardians to monitor their children’s online activities and discourage them from internet-related crimes.
He also advised the public to safeguard their personal information, avoid suspicious online interactions, and promptly report cases of cyber extortion or blackmail to the nearest police station.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating all forms of criminality and ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
The PPRO said the suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.
