By Dahiru Kasimu Adamu
The Kebbi State Police Command has dismissed widespread reports about the emergence of a terrorist group known as “Sai Mallam” allegedly imposing illegal levies on communities in Argungu and Zuru Emirates, describing the claims as a gross misunderstanding of criminal activities by a cybercrime syndicate.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, clarified that investigations have established no such terrorist organisation exists within the state.
Instead, what residents mistook for a terrorist group’s activities was traced to a sophisticated cybercrime network locally known as “Yan Vocal,” operating within the Argungu Local Government Area and specialising in hacking and online extortion schemes targeting individuals and prominent personalities.
According to police findings, the syndicate comprises young individuals aged 19 to 24 who use advanced digital techniques to defraud unsuspecting victims.
The group’s operation involves hacking social media accounts, creating fake identities, and using sophisticated video editing tools to manipulate pre-recorded nude footage. Victims are deceived into believing they are engaged in live video calls with women, only to be blackmailed with threats of public exposure unless financial demands are met.
The victims, police said, include high-profile individuals such as politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders, business owners, and other prominent figures.
Between June 26 and June 29, 2026, the command’s coordinated operation resulted in the arrest of thirteen suspects linked to the syndicate.
Those arrested include:
Ahmed Nasir, Rabiu Sani, Sadiq Umar, and Umar Nasir, all from Argungu, who allegedly conspired to obtain nude images of a female victim and demanded ₦1,000,000 from her.
Faisal Muhammed and Abbas Baraye were arrested for online extortion using nude pictures.
Abdullahi Abubakar, Abdulhamid Mukhtar, and Al’amin Aminu were accused of defrauding a victim of ₦3,000,000 after manipulating a video to falsely portray the victim in a compromising position. Haliru Bashar, Abubakar Faruk, Almustapha Munnir, and Saifullahi Nata’ala, who allegedly obtained a nude video of a female acquaintance through a sex-related Snapchat group and threatened to expose her.
Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, issued a stern warning that cybercrime constitutes a serious offence with grave consequences.
He called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s online activities and discourage involvement in fraudulent schemes.
“We urge members of the public to exercise caution on social media, protect personal information, avoid suspicious online interactions, and promptly report cases of cyber extortion to the nearest police station,” CP Hadejia stated.
The police command has provided emergency contact numbers 09039911876 and 07081074395 for reporting cyber-related crimes.
All arrested suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.