The Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Usman, has rejected a petition by former Attorney General Abubakar Malami accusing Governor Nasir Idris of importing political thugs and foreign mercenaries, calling the claims "unfounded, mischievous, and a clear attempt to distract the government from its developmental strides."

Usman addressed journalists at an emergency press conference in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, emphasizing Kebbi's status as one of Nigeria's most peaceful states. "Any attempt to tarnish that record is not just an attack on government but on the people themselves," he said, noting that the state's politics is grounded in dialogue and democratic respect. He added that no intelligence from security agencies supports the allegations, urging residents to stay calm and calling for a thorough probe. Usman demanded Malami's prosecution if the claims prove false, warning against destabilizing Kebbi's stability.

Malami, now leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi after defecting from the APC, petitioned the National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, DSS Director-General, and Comptrollers-General of Immigration and Civil Defence on September 10. He alleged Idris and allies were facilitating violence through thugs and mercenaries linked to the terrorist group Lakurawa, citing a September 1 attack on his convoy during a condolence visit that injured APC members and damaged structures. Malami claimed "credible intelligence" backed his assertions, describing it as a threat to national sovereignty.

Governor Idris, through Special Adviser Yahya Sarki, dismissed the petition as "false, malicious, and politically driven," challenging Malami to provide evidence and recalling his own convoy's alleged role in the violence. The Kebbi APC National Assembly Caucus echoed this, labeling the claims a "desperate attempt" by Malami to incite fear, reaffirming support for Idris's security efforts and urging agencies to investigate and prosecute if warranted.