The government of Kebbi State has officially rejected allegations suggesting a new insurgent group is active within its borders. Yakubu Ahmed, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, clarified that recent criminal activities linked to a group called Yan Vocal are strictly related to online fraud and extortion, not terrorism.
Speaking in Abuja during a meeting with the News Agency of Nigeria, Ahmed labeled the claims as intentional falsehoods orchestrated by political rivals ahead of the 2027 elections. He confirmed that security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services, determined the suspects are cybercriminals. Authorities have already conducted arrests to dismantle the gang, also known as Sai Malam.
Furthermore, the Commissioner refuted reports alleging a daily death toll of 130 children in the state. He dismissed these statistics as mathematically impossible and fabricated to discredit Governor Nasir Idris. According to Ahmed, UNICEF confirmed they were not the source of such data. In response, NAN Managing Director Ali M. Ali highlighted the challenges posed by digital misinformation and encouraged officials to prioritize the dissemination of verified facts.
