Malami Petitions Security Chiefs Over Alleged Influx of Thugs and Foreign Mercenaries in Kebbi

By Mohammed Bello Doka

BIRNIN KEBBI – Abubakar Malami SAN, CON, the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, has raised a serious alarm over what he describes as a calculated plot to destabilize Kebbi State. In a petition submitted on September 10, 2025, to the National Security Adviser (NSA) and other top security brass, Malami alleged that political actors are importing foreign mercenaries and political thugs to sow discord, attack citizens, and silence opposition voices.

The petition, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent, highlights an alleged incident on September 1, 2025, where Malami and other indigenes were reportedly attacked by armed thugs. Malami, who is the leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state, characterized the attack as an example of the escalating political violence in Kebbi. He stated that the perpetrators operate without fear of law enforcement, suggesting a troubling level of impunity.

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In a direct accusation, the petition points to Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasir Idris, and his associates, alleging their complicity in facilitating these illegal operations. The document claims that these groups have covert links with the terrorist network known as Lakurawa. Malami’s petition frames the situation not merely as a local political skirmish but as a direct threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty and internal stability, calling it a “national security emergency.”

Malami’s urgent appeal to the NSA, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Comptroller-Generals of Immigration and Civil Defence Corps seeks a coordinated inter-agency response. He has called for immediate action, including the securing of border communities—especially those with the Niger Republic—to stop the influx of mercenaries and arms, as well as a high-level investigation into the alleged collusion between state officials and terrorist elements.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State has since denied any involvement in the attack on Malami’s convoy. In a statement, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Isa Assalafy, condemned the violence and described Kebbi as a peaceful state. He further alleged that security personnel attached to Malami’s convoy fired shots during the confrontation, which he claimed escalated the situation.