Kebbi Raises Alarm Over Emergence Of Deadly ‘Sai Malam’ Terror Sect Accused Of Blood Sacrifices As Police Launch Fresh Crackdown

Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State– The Kebbi State Government has raised fresh alarm over the emergence and spread of a new terror group identified as “Sai Malam,” warning that the sect poses a serious and growing security threat across parts of the state.

The government disclosed that members of the group allegedly engage in blood sacrifices and ritual-related activities, prompting calls for urgent intervention by security agencies before the sect gains deeper roots within local communities.

The alarming revelation was made on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to Governor Nasir Idris on Security and Home Affairs, retired Colonel Hassan Riba, during a high-level stakeholders’ security meeting with the Inspector-General of Police.

According to Riba, the group was first discovered operating within the Zuru Emirate area, where security forces initially succeeded in dislodging its members after coordinated operations.

However, he said recent intelligence reports and sightings indicated that the group had resurfaced in Argungu, raising fears that it may be regrouping and expanding its influence into other parts of the state.

“We have one pressing issue now, which is the emergence of another terror group called ‘Sai Malam’. We dislodged them in Zuru when we discovered them, but I recently saw them again in Argungu,” Riba said.

The governor’s aide expressed deep concern over the activities and methods allegedly employed by members of the sect, particularly claims that they use blood during rituals and sacrifices carried out among members.

“They use blood for sacrifices among their members. It is high time the police took note of this sect and dealt with it decisively,” he added.

The disclosure has heightened fears among residents and community leaders already battling insecurity linked to banditry, kidnappings and cross-border criminal activities in parts of northwestern Nigeria.

Riba stressed that tackling the growing threat posed by the group would require stronger collaboration between security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and local communities.

He noted that the Kebbi State Government had continued supporting federal security operations by providing logistics, operational assistance and other resources to security agencies working within the state.

According to him, additional mobile police personnel had also been deployed to Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area as part of ongoing efforts to curb the infiltration of armed bandits and strengthen security around vulnerable communities.

Security concerns have intensified in several communities located around border regions connecting Kebbi with neighbouring states affected by armed violence and criminal networks.

Responding to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, represented at the meeting by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Sulaiman Abdul, directed security agencies to immediately begin profiling the sect in order to prevent it from becoming fully established within the state.

Abdul warned that criminal groups often exploit weak intelligence gathering systems and poorly monitored riverine routes to move arms, recruit members and evade security operations.

“The Kebbi Command must immediately re-engineer its operational strategies to reflect robust regional and federal synergy,” the DIG said.

“You must optimise your riverine patrols, combining physical presence with actionable intelligence gathered through direct partnerships with fishing communities, transport unions and traditional institutions.”

The police chief also ordered the expansion of the ongoing “Handshake Patrols” security initiative beyond existing land border operations with Sokoto and Zamfara states.

According to him, security operations must now include coordinated patrols and intelligence-sharing activities along river routes linking neighbouring jurisdictions frequently exploited by criminal gangs.

“Ensure that your tactical teams maintain constant communication with contiguous commands to deny criminals opportunities to exploit jurisdictional boundaries,” Abdul added.

He further commended officers and personnel of the Kebbi State Police Command for their efforts in combating insecurity and criminal activities across the state despite growing operational challenges.

“Keep pushing hard, stay sharp and sustain this momentum. You are the pride of the Force. Thank you for your dedication and bravery,” he said.

The DIG also directed the command to fully implement the six core pillars of the Inspector-General’s policing agenda, especially strategies focused on intelligence-led policing and technology-driven security operations.

He maintained that modern policing methods, combined with active community participation, remained essential in addressing emerging threats and preventing the spread of violent groups.

Abdul appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to cooperate fully with security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence capable of preventing attacks and exposing criminal hideouts.

“Please trust us. If you have any information, share it with us. Whatever you do in the interest of security is aimed at protecting and defending your communities. Be free to tell us what we need to do,” he said.

The emergence of the “Sai Malam” sect comes amid increasing concerns over the proliferation of armed groups, extremist cells and criminal networks operating across parts of northern Nigeria, where security agencies continue to battle banditry, kidnappings and rural violence.