Kebbi State Government has denied reports that it hired a Chinese security company to help fight banditry in the state, describing the claims as false and misleading.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris said the state has not entered into any agreement with a foreign company named G-Safety or any other security firm.

“The attention of the Kebbi State Government has been drawn to reports suggesting that the government signed a contract with a Chinese security company. This is false, misleading, and should be disregarded,” the statement said.

The government emphasized that it remains committed to working closely with Nigeria’s security agencies — including the Army, Police, and other paramilitary organizations — to maintain peace and protect lives and property across the state.

“The administration of Governor Nasir Idris is focused on supporting the ongoing efforts of the nation’s security forces through logistics, intelligence sharing, and community partnerships,” the statement added.

Reports had earlier circulated on social media and several online news platforms claiming that the Kebbi State Government signed a deal with G-Safety, a Chinese firm said to specialize in surveillance and intelligence systems, to help tackle the rising wave of banditry in the state.

Some of the reports alleged that a Chinese delegation had visited Kebbi and discussed plans to deploy drones and other digital monitoring tools to track criminal movements in rural areas affected by the Lakurawa gangs — a notorious group blamed for several attacks in the region.

However, government officials have dismissed the story as “fabricated” and urged journalists to verify information before publication.

Kebbi, like many states in northwestern Nigeria, has faced persistent security challenges caused by armed groups involved in kidnappings and rural banditry. Hundreds of people have been displaced from their homes in recent months, prompting calls for stronger and more coordinated security responses.

Analysts say the rumor about the Chinese firm may have gained traction due to growing public frustration with the slow progress in curbing violent attacks. Some residents had expressed support for any new approach that could bring peace to the affected communities.

Despite the denial, security experts note that the idea of state governments partnering with private or foreign security outfits is not new. Several states in Nigeria have previously explored collaborations with technology firms to boost intelligence gathering and surveillance.

But such partnerships are often sensitive, as the Nigerian Constitution assigns responsibility for defense and national security primarily to federal authorities. State governments, therefore, have limited powers in signing independent defense or security contracts.

The Kebbi State Government reaffirmed that it will continue to invest in local solutions and strengthen cooperation between communities and existing security agencies to restore peace.

“Our government’s top priority is to ensure the safety of every resident. We are not involving any foreign company in that mission,” the statement concluded.

The state’s clarification comes as Nigeria’s northern regions continue to grapple with rising insecurity. President Bola Tinubu’s administration has repeatedly pledged to tackle the problem through enhanced military operations, better equipment, and regional cooperation.

For now, Kebbi’s denial puts to rest the controversy surrounding the alleged Chinese partnership, though residents say they will judge the government’s efforts by the results they see on the ground — safer roads, protected farmlands, and peaceful communities.