The Kebbi State Police Command says its renewed security measures along border communities have led to the arrest of two suspects for alleged conspiracy, impersonation, and illegal importation of prohibited goods.
The command disclosed that the suspects were apprehended in Dolekaina, a border town in Dandi Local Government Area of the state.
According to the police, the operation was carried out on September 21, 2025, around 1:00 p.m. by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Dolekaina Division.
One of the suspects, identified as Yusuf M. Alhaji, a native of Kano State, claimed to be a special constabulary officer with the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police, attached to Rijiyar Zaki Division under the Kano State Police Command.
However, the Kebbi police noted that the man’s claim of being a police officer was dubious, describing his impersonation as “already under thorough scrutiny.”
During a search, Yusuf was allegedly found with three metal jars of silver liquid mercury, each weighing 34.5 kilograms.
The seized items were valued at 2.8 million CFA francs, equivalent to about ₦7.5 million, and were suspected to have been smuggled into Nigeria without a valid license or registration.
Investigations conducted at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Birnin Kebbi revealed that the mercury was smuggled from Lomé, Togo, through the Malleville border into Nigeria.
Police sources said the illicit journey was allegedly sponsored by another suspect, Tijjani Muhammed, aged 42, who resides at the same address as Yusuf.
Tijjani has also been arrested and identified as the owner of the smuggled mercury, according to the command.
The Kebbi State Police Command added that further investigations are ongoing to uncover the suspects’ network, identify their accomplices, and fully expose their methods of operation.
The police also raised questions over Yusuf’s claim of being a constabulary officer, noting that he has only one eye, a condition that casts doubts on the possibility of his enlistment into the police special constabulary in Kano.
Reacting to the arrests, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State, CP Bello M. Sani, praised the DPO of Dolekaina and his team for their vigilance and gallantry in securing the border area.
He urged residents of the state to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence that could help in preventing the infiltration of criminals.
CP Sani reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating crime and warned that Kebbi State would not be allowed to serve as a safe haven for criminal elements.
