The Kebbi State House of Assembly has dismissed a petition by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, accusing Governor Nasir Idris of importing political thugs and mercenaries to destabilise the state.
At an emergency press briefing in Birnin Kebbi, Speaker Rt. Hon. Muhammad Usman described the claims as “baseless and unfounded.” He said Kebbi has maintained a reputation as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria and would not allow individuals to tarnish that record.
“The allegations are not only baseless, unfounded, and mischievous, but they are also clearly designed to distract the government from its developmental strides,” Usman stated. He added that the petition was a calculated attempt to incite fear and tension among citizens.
The Speaker emphasised that Kebbi State has no history or agenda of importing political thugs or mercenaries, noting, “Our politics is rooted in dialogue and respect for democratic values. Therefore, these allegations are malicious and entirely without proof.”
He also disclosed that no security agency in the state had submitted any intelligence linking the government to such claims. Usman urged residents to remain calm while calling on security agencies to investigate the allegations thoroughly and prosecute Malami if found culpable.
Malami’s Petition to Security Chiefs
Abubakar Malami, who currently leads the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi, had earlier written to top security authorities, including the NSA, Inspector-General of Police, and DSS Director-General.
In his petition, he alleged that some political actors were working with foreign mercenaries from the Niger Republic while also trafficking illegal arms to intimidate citizens, suppress opposition, and create unrest.
He further claimed that on September 1, he and other indigenes were attacked by armed thugs “operating without fear of law enforcement.” Malami warned that such alleged activities could threaten Kebbi’s peace and also pose wider implications for Nigeria’s security and sovereignty.
What You Should Know
Abubakar Malami, ex-Justice Minister and ADC leader in Kebbi, accused the state government of importing thugs and mercenaries.
The Kebbi Assembly dismissed the allegations as “baseless and unfounded,” urging calm while calling for a security probe. The matter now sits between political tension and national security concerns.
