The Kebbi State administration has refuted reports labeling the region as being under siege, asserting that current security concerns do not constitute a failure of governance. Responding to a critical article titled “Kebbi Under Siege: A Governor Without a Plan,” Yahaya Sarki, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, characterized these claims as inaccurate and disconnected from reality. Officials emphasized that public markets, schools, and state institutions continue to operate normally while farmers maintain their daily activities.
Addressing criticism regarding Governor Nasir Idris’s security approach, the government reaffirmed its dedication to public safety. The administration detailed several support measures, including the procurement of over 100 operational vehicles for security personnel and the distribution of 3,000 motorcycles to local vigilantes to bolster surveillance efforts. Furthermore, the state has recruited and trained over 3,000 vigilantes to improve intelligence gathering, while reactivating Local Government Security Committees to streamline grassroots communication.
Citing the successful recovery of abducted students from Maga in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, the government argued that its actions demonstrate a proactive stance against criminal activity. Although authorities acknowledged the presence of security hurdles, they dismissed the narrative of a state under siege as fear-mongering. The government concluded by promising to continue its collaboration with conventional security forces to safeguard lives and property throughout Kebbi.
