Governor Nasir Idris has responded to a petition by a former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, describing it as a campaign of calumny aimed at discrediting his administration.

The governor made the remark while receiving the leadership of the Kebbi State Coalition of Civil Society Organizations at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

Governor Idris condemned what he described as a frivolous petition containing false allegations that his government was importing mercenaries.

“We have just held a security meeting, and security agencies are already investigating such petitions. This is the height of irresponsibility by the opposition because it is pure falsehood,” he said on Monday.

“I have been at the forefront of the fight against criminals across the North, and my administration has invested heavily in security to restore normalcy in affected areas,” the governor told the gathering.

He also addressed the public backlash following the arrest of a social media influencer who had criticized the state of the healthcare system in Kebbi State.

Governor Idris accused the opposition of being unfair to the people of Kebbi, stating that “their unwarranted and sponsored negative reports can discourage investors”.

“I have traveled across the world to attract investors to Kebbi with resounding success,” he said.

Governor Idris accused certain opposition elements of sponsoring individuals to use social media as a tool to disparage him and portray Kebbi State in a negative light.

“It will not deter me. As the divinely-ordained governor of Kebbi State, I remain unperturbed. I will stay focused and continue to execute projects that are beneficial to all our communities,” Idris said.

Last week, Malami, a chieftain of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), had petitioned top security officials over an alleged plot to destabilize Kebbi State through the importation of political thugs, foreign mercenaries, and illegal arms trafficking.

The ex-AGF raised the concerns in a petition dated September 10, 2025, addressed to the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Comptroller-Generals of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

He alleged that certain political actors are collaborating with foreign mercenaries from the Niger Republic and arming them through illegal channels.

The petition claims these operatives are being deployed to intimidate citizens, suppress opposition voices, and disrupt the peace in Kebbi State.

Malami described the situation as “a national security emergency” that transcends local politics and poses a direct threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty and internal security.