By Abdullahi Tukur
The Kebbi State Police Command, has clarified recent reports on the emergence of a terrorist group known as “Sai Mallam” allegedly imposing levies on communities in Argungu and Zuru Emirates.
In a statement by the Command’s Public Relations SP Bashir Usman said, following a detailed investigation, the Command has established that no such terrorist group exists in the State.
The reports were found to have originated from a misunderstanding of the activities of a cybercrime syndicate locally known as “Yan Vocal,” operating within Argungu Local Government Area of the state.
The statement, the syndicate, comprising mainly young persons between the ages of 19 and 24, specialises in hacking social media accounts, creating fake online identities, and using blackmail, threats, and other deceptive tactics to extort money from unsuspecting victims.
It’s said their targets include high-profile individuals such as political office holders, traditional and religious leaders, business owners, and other prominent personalities within and outside Nigeria.
The group operates by deploying sophisticated online techniques, including the use of video editing applications and pre-recorded nude videos and also manipulate mobile devices in a way that deceives victims into believing they are engaged in live video calls with women.
The Command, through a coordinated intelligence-led operation, arrested thirteen suspects linked to the syndicate all of Argungu town who conspired to obtain nude images of a female victim and demanded the sum of ₦1,000,000 from her under threat of exposure.
Others arrested allegedly defrauded a victim of ₦3,000,000 after manipulating a video to falsely portray the victim as being on a live video call with a naked woman.