Police Move Against Gulma Killers, Say ‘Sai Malam’ Not A Terror Group

June 26 () — The Kebbi Police Command has intensified its crackdown on those responsible for the deadly farmers-herders clash in Gulma Town, Argungu Local Government Area, announcing the arrest of four suspects who will be arraigned for their alleged roles in the violence that claimed eight lives.
The Command also dismissed claims circulating on social media that the group popularly known as “Sai Malam” is a designated terrorist organisation, insisting that investigations have not established any terrorism-related offences against the group.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, the police identified the suspects as Adamu Madugu of Gulma, Musa Makera of Sauwa, Saidu Adamu of Sauwa and Shafi’u Hamza of Gulma.
According to the statement, the suspects will be charged before a competent court with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly and culpable homicide, while security operatives have intensified efforts to identify and apprehend other persons linked to the fatal attack who remain at large.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, assured the families of the victims that justice would be served, stressing that the Command was determined to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.
He urged residents to remain calm, obey the law and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, assuring them of the police’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
“The Command remains committed to maintaining peace, protecting lives and property, and ensuring justice for all affected persons”, the statement read, noting that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
In a separate clarification, the police refuted reports alleging that the “Sai Malam” group had resurfaced in parts of Argungu Local Government Area as a terrorist organisation.
The Command said it had commenced investigations based on actionable intelligence to verify the claims, but stressed that available evidence had not linked the group to terrorism.
It explained that persons arrested in Zuru in February 2026 were investigated and prosecuted for alleged criminal offences rather than terrorism-related activities.
According to the police, exhibits recovered from the suspects included suspected counterfeit currencies in Nigerian naira, United States dollars, CFA francs and Libyan dinars, alongside suspected ritual or occult objects and other related materials.
The statement noted that no firearms were recovered from the suspects during the investigation.
The police reiterated their resolve to combat all forms of criminality across Kebbi State, warning that anyone found engaging in unlawful activities would face the full weight of the law.
The Command also urged residents to disregard unverified reports capable of creating unnecessary panic and instead support security agencies with credible information to aid ongoing investigations and strengthen public safety.