Kebbi State

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kebbi State Police Command has disbursed N21,112,938.02 to families of police officers who died while carrying out their official duties.

The command disclosed this in a statement, explaining that the financial support was intended to ease the burden on families following the loss of their loved ones.

According to the statement, the Inspector-General of Police approved the funds, which cover 38 payment documents presented to eligible beneficiaries.

The payments were made under the Police Group Life Assurance and the IGP Family Welfare Scheme, programmes designed to provide financial assistance to families of officers who die in the line of duty.

The command expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police for approving the funds, describing the gesture as part of efforts to improve the welfare of families of deceased personnel.

By Dahiru Kasimu Adamu

Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed the petroleum subsidy in 2023, almost every sector in Nigeria has been forced to look for a way out. Farming is no exception.

Before then, rice farmers largely relied on petrol-powered pumps to irrigate their farms. But when the price of petrol skyrocketed, many farmers were pushed to the edge. For some, farming became almost impossible.

Today, the story in Argungu has changed, as rice farmers in Argungu, Kebbi State, have largely moved to solar energy for their agricultural activities. From Farfajiya to Kuyar Masaama, from Janduma to Kwalaga and Dankwali, solar panels now glitter under the sun where fuel cans once dominated.

In this system, farmers place solar panels facing the sun. The energy generated powers a solar pumping machine that pumps water from a tube well or directly from the river to the farm. No fuel. No daily queue. No smoke.

“Without It, I Cannot Farm”

A young farmer at the Kwalaga rice cluster, Ibrahim Usman, expressed his satisfaction with the solar system and acknowledged its contribution to his farming activities.

“I bought it at the rate of N450,000 at the beginning of the rainy season. Without it, I cannot proceed with rice farming because I cannot buy petrol every day to pump water and irrigate my farm,” he said.

For Ismail Usman, solar is not just an alternative  it is survival.

“The inflation of farm inputs and the removal of subsidy have crippled farming. Moreover, the price of rice has decreased, which endangers farmers. If we continue using fuel to water our farms, we can hardly make a profit. We thank God for the gift of solar. Currently, most of those who cannot afford it find it difficult to continue farming,” he said.

Sani Danladi, another young farmer, said he thanks Almighty Allah for the renewable energy alternative.

 “Now I can produce ten bags, but without solar I cannot even produce five bags due to hardship, a hike in fertiliser prices and subsidy removal. Therefore, I urge the government at all levels and stakeholders to distribute solar pumping machines free to local farmers without considering political affiliation, to boost agriculture and food security,” he said.

Despite the success, the farmers still face challenges. The solar system is inefficient in the early morning hours and during sunset when sunlight is low, slowing down irrigation.

Yet, as of the time of filing this report, despite the limited flooding recorded in the 2026 rainy season, farmers in Argungu continue to harvest their produce and are partially preparing for the forthcoming dry-season farming.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kebbi State Government has begun moves to implement a ₦70,000 transport allowance for civil servants to cushion the effects of rising transportation costs and economic hardship.

Governor Nasir Idris announced this on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during an interview with journalists in Abuja. He said a committee under the Head of Service had already been established to work out the modalities for implementing the allowance.

According to the governor, his administration recognises the economic challenges facing workers and remains committed to improving their welfare. He also commended the Federal Government’s approval of the ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for public servants, describing it as a commendable effort to support workers amid the prevailing economic situation.

Idris further disclosed that his administration was considering additional adjustments to workers’ welfare, noting that the current minimum wage had been affected by the declining purchasing power of Nigerians.

The Kebbi State Government had earlier approved a ₦75,000 minimum wage for state workers, alongside an additional ₦17,650 for teachers. The governor reaffirmed his commitment to workers’ welfare, industrial harmony and improved living conditions across the state.

The proposed transport allowance is expected to provide additional financial relief to public sector workers once implementation arrangements are concluded.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected bandits have killed a 47-year-old security guard and abducted a married woman during successive attacks on Ribah community in Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the attacks, saying joint security operatives comprising police officers, military personnel and local vigilantes repelled the assailants.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, said the attackers first attempted to block Rambo Junction along the Ribah–Dirin Daji Road at about 7:25pm on Friday but were confronted by security operatives.

According to him, the gunmen later regrouped and returned to the community, firing sporadically from different directions.

During the exchange of gunfire, a security guard identified as Hassan Boder was fatally struck by a bullet. He was reportedly attached to a newly constructed filling station along the Ribah–Kanya Road.

Usman said security operatives responded promptly after receiving a distress call and successfully forced the attackers to retreat.

He added that security operations had been intensified in the area, with patrols ongoing and efforts being made to track down and arrest those responsible.

However, reports from the community indicated that the attackers, who reportedly arrived on more than 10 motorcycles, abducted a married woman during the incident.

Troops Rescue 11 Kidnap Victims

In a separate development, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 11 kidnapped persons in two operations conducted in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The rescues took place on October 30 and 31, 2026, following military operations against suspected bandits and terrorists in the area.

The spokesperson for the 8 Division, Sokoto, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Osoba said the first operation followed a distress call reporting that armed bandits had blocked a road leading to Ribah town and attempted to invade the community.

He explained that troops deployed to the area discovered that some residents had been abducted, while motorcycles were abandoned at the scene.

The soldiers pursued the attackers and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing them to flee and abandon seven kidnapped victims.

The rescued persons were identified as Sa’adu Bala, Dantani Yahyi, Nura Musa, Nasiru Muhammad, Abdulakeem Abubakar, Abdulahi Maikudi and Zaki Gom.

The military said they had been reunited with their families.

In another operation around Wasagu, troops conducting routine patrols came under attack by suspected terrorists but repelled the assailants.

According to Osoba, the attackers fled, abandoning four people they had earlier kidnapped from their farms in Wasagu village.

The rescued victims were identified as Lawali Ali, Samaila Shuaibu, Kasimu Shuaibu and Aliyu Bala. They were subsequently handed over to the community head.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against bandits and other criminal groups, assuring residents that efforts would continue to protect lives and property across the area.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Suspected Mamudawa/Lakurawa terrorists have reportedly killed a police inspector and 11 civilians during attacks on Waiwayi and Kystu communities in Koko-Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying the inspector was killed during an exchange of gunfire with the attackers.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this during a telephone conversation, adding that the identity of the deceased officer would not be made public until investigations were concluded.

Usman said the attackers stormed the two communities, where they engaged security operatives in a gun battle that resulted in the death of the inspector.

“Yes, there was an attack on the villages of Waiwayi and Kystu by suspected Mamudawa, and unfortunately, during an exchange of fire, they killed one police inspector,” he said.

He added that the police were yet to release the officer’s name pending the completion of investigations.

The attackers were also reported to have set houses on fire and looted food items from shops in the affected communities.

The assaults reportedly forced several residents to abandon their homes and flee to safer locations.

Usman said security operatives had cordoned off the affected areas to prevent further attacks, while a manhunt had been launched to track down those responsible.

The incident has further heightened security concerns in rural communities across Kebbi State, where repeated attacks have threatened residents’ lives, homes and livelihoods.

The Daily Reality

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A social media outcry has erupted in Kebbi State following claims that the Executive Chairman of the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Agency donated 100 cars to support the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s 2027 election campaign.

Bashir Jelani, a Kebbi indigene and scholar based in the United States, raised the issue in a Facebook post, questioning the reported donation amid concerns over poverty, malnutrition and access to clean drinking water in the state.

Jelani drew attention to reports highlighting Kebbi’s development challenges, citing the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), StatiSense, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and UNICEF.

He questioned the reported donation in a state he described as facing severe socioeconomic challenges, asking where the money used to acquire the vehicles came from.

Other Kebbi residents have reportedly expressed similar concerns, with the controversy prompting questions about the source of funding for the vehicles and the priorities of public officials under the administration of Governor Nasir Idris, popularly known as Ƙauran Gwandu.

However, the circumstances surrounding the alleged donation, including the source of funding and the intended recipients of the vehicles, remain unclear. The claims and the statistics cited in the Facebook post could not be independently verified for this report.

The agency chairman and the Kebbi State Government have not been quoted as responding to the allegations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Three vigilantes from Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State have reportedly been killed by suspected bandits while returning from Agwara in neighbouring Niger State.

The incident was reported on Wednesday by North-West crisis reporter Bakatsine in a post on his X account.

The victims were identified as Abubakar Mai Nera, the vigilante commander in Saminaka, Tanko Sarki and Amadu Saminaka. They were said to be from Saminaka and Bakinturu communities.

According to local sources cited by Bakatsine, the vigilantes came under attack around Kasabo, Binuwa and Mago, locations along the River Kwara near the Niger-Kebbi border.

The attackers reportedly set the victims ablaze after the assault.

The incident was said to have occurred on Friday, but the bodies of the three vigilantes had not been recovered as of Wednesday.

Local authorities and residents were reportedly conducting search operations to locate the victims and establish further details about the incident.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kebbi State Hisbah Board has arrested 25 youths in Argungu town over alleged involvement in immoral activities during an operation carried out at a hotel.

The exercise was conducted by operatives of the board under the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The Director of Shariah of the board, Sirajo Kamba, disclosed this in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

He said, “On July 3, the Kebbi Hisbah Board carried out a raid at a hotel in Argungu and successfully apprehended 25 suspects allegedly involved in immoral activities.

“Those arrested include 12 males and 13 females.

“The operation is part of the board’s ongoing efforts to combat social vices, promote moral values, and maintain peace and decency across Kebbi,” he said.

Kamba stated that the board would carry out a detailed investigation in line with the law. He added that anyone found guilty after the investigation would face legal action.

The operation formed part of ongoing measures by the Hisbah Board to address social misconduct and strengthen moral standards in the state.

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.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has dismissed its Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Isah Yusuf Tsafe, over allegations of misconduct and negligence.

The university’s Governing Council announced the decision after disciplinary proceedings found the former ICT director guilty of gross misconduct, negligence and failure to account for university property under his supervision.

The development was contained in a statement issued by the institution’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Jamilu Magaji.

According to the statement, the council approved Tsafe’s dismissal after reviewing findings from the disciplinary process.

The university also sanctioned another ICT staff member, Abdullahi Mohammed Adamu, over activities linked to the admission process.

FUBK said Adamu was reduced by one grade level and would not be eligible for promotion for the next 5 years.

The institution accused him of carrying out financial dealings with parents of admission seekers despite not being part of the university’s admissions team.

The statement explained that Adamu also became involved in admission-related activities without authorisation from the university.

“The Council also directed the university management to recover or surcharge the value of all outstanding university property linked to the case,” the statement said.

The university stated that the disciplinary actions reflected the Governing Council’s resolve to maintain discipline, professionalism and accountability in the institution’s administration.

According to the statement, the council remains committed to ensuring responsible conduct and merit-based operations across the university system.