The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed that three people were killed and a police inspector injured during violent clashes along the Besse/Shanga riverine axis of Koko-Besse LGA.
Police spokesperson, *SP Bashir Usman*, disclosed this on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, while reacting to a viral video showing residents fleeing en masse towards Koko town over fears of terrorist attacks.
According to police, the crisis was triggered by *rumours of cattle rustling and an impending attack by suspected Lakurawa terrorists*, which prompted local vigilantes, popularly known as *Yan Sakai*, to mobilize across several villages.
> “On 22/10/2026, heavily armed Yan Sakai stormed Samanaji Market, killed three Fulani, injured three others and injured a Police Inspector who was deployed with Police teams to restore peace,” Usman said.
He explained that the current displacement of residents is a fallout of subsequent reprisal attacks.
> “The present displacement is an offshoot of subsequent reprisal showdowns across Karwa, Tunga Hako and Buma villages where several Fulani settlements were burnt,” he stated.
The Commissioner of Police, *CP Umar M. Hadejia*, has since deployed additional police and joint security teams to dominate the area and prevent further escalation.
> “The Commissioner of Police has since deployed additional Police and joint security teams to dominate the space and prevent further escalation, while investigation is ongoing,” Usman added.
The Command urged residents to remain calm and disregard unverified narratives that could worsen the security situation.
The number of displaced persons and extent of damage is yet to be ascertained as security operatives continue to patrol the affected riverine communities.
