‘Kebbi not under siege’ — State govt counters claims of insecurity

Kebbi State Government has dismissed claims that the state is under siege, insisting that ongoing security challenges do not reflect a collapse of law and order across the state.
Reacting to an article titled “Kebbi Under Siege: A Governor Without a Plan,” in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Yahaya Sarki, the government described the assertion as exaggerated and inconsistent with realities on the ground.

According to the statement, schools, markets and government institutions are functioning across the state, while farming activities continue in many communities.

The government also rejected claims that Governor Nasir Idris lacks a security strategy, maintaining that security remains one of the administration’s top priorities.

It stated that the government had provided more than 100 operational vehicles to security agencies and distributed over 3,000 motorcycles to vigilante groups and community-based security outfits to improve surveillance and rapid response operations.

The statement added that more than 3,000 local vigilantes had been recruited, trained and integrated into the state’s security architecture to strengthen intelligence gathering and collaboration with conventional security agencies.

The government further noted that Local Government Security Committees had been reactivated to enhance intelligence sharing, conflict resolution and coordinated responses to emerging threats at the grassroots level.

The statement also highlighted the state government’s role in efforts that led to the release of abducted schoolgirls from Maga in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, describing it as evidence of the administration’s commitment to addressing security incidents.

While acknowledging the existence of security challenges, the government maintained that Kebbi was not under siege and urged the public to disregard narratives capable of creating panic and undermining ongoing efforts to improve security.

It reiterated its commitment to supporting security agencies and implementing measures aimed at protecting lives and property across the state.