Security operatives in Kebbi State have arrested a young boy accused of posing as a deaf person in order to gather intelligence for suspected kidnappers, in a case that has stirred concern among residents of the affected community.
The arrest was disclosed on Monday by Abuzaidu Abubakar Yari in a Facebook post, where he alleged that the suspect had lived under the guise of being deaf for nearly a year while secretly monitoring activities in the Makera Gandu area of Birnin Kebbi.
According to the account, the boy was apprehended and later confessed to working with two other individuals who were reportedly tasked with tracking residents and relaying information to criminal elements.
He is said to have claimed that they were trained in sign language to strengthen their cover and avoid suspicion while carrying out surveillance.
Although the suspect operated in Kebbi State, he was reportedly identified as being originally from neighbouring Niger State.
Residents in Makera Gandu described the development as unsettling, noting that the suspect had blended into the community without raising alarms.
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Community leaders have since urged vigilance, encouraging residents to report suspicious movements while avoiding panic or profiling.
Security authorities have yet to release an official statement detailing the circumstances of the arrest, the suspect’s age, or the progress of investigations. It remains unclear whether the alleged accomplices have been apprehended.
The incident highlights growing concerns over evolving tactics used by criminal networks in parts of northern Nigeria, where communities continue to grapple with kidnappings and banditry.
Observers say the case underscores the importance of community awareness, intelligence gathering, and coordinated security responses in tackling insecurity.
As investigations continue, residents hope the arrest will provide useful leads in dismantling any broader network operating in the area and restore a sense of safety to the community.