The Sokoto State Police Command has cracked down on a syndicate linked to the feared “Sai Malam” cult, arresting three members during a coordinated raid carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit on Friday night.
The breakthrough comes amid heightened public anxiety over the rising influence and activities of the group in several parts of the state.
According to a press release by DSP Ahmad Rufai, the Public Relations Officer of the command, the main suspect, Usman Shu’aibu, along with two accomplices, “have since provided detailed confessions regarding the group’s activities.”
Preliminary findings by investigators showed that the cult operated a covert recruitment network through a WhatsApp platform known as the “Red Chamber,” which was allegedly used to lure unsuspecting youths into various criminal activities.
The statement further stated that the group’s activities include “witchcraft and ritualist practices, the pursuit of demonic powers, acts of homosexuality, organized thuggery and violence.”
Assuring residents of continued security actions, CP Ahmed Musa said: “We want to assure the good people of Sokoto that we have been listening to their concerns.
The arrest of these suspects is a clear demonstration that their calls for action have been answered.
Our efforts have disrupted a key cell of this notorious group, and we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of every citizen.”
The command also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and closely monitor how their children use smartphones and social media platforms, warning that suspicious online engagements must be promptly reported.
Security operatives are intensifying efforts to track down other fleeing members of the group, while the command appealed to residents to support ongoing operations with credible intelligence.