Police in Sokoto, have arrested the leaders of a suspected cult group accused of using a WhatsApp group called the “Red Chamber” to recruit and initiate teenagers into their cult group.
The crackdown, announced on Saturday, led to the arrest of three suspects, including the alleged mastermind, Usman Shu’aibu. The operation by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit exposes the new trend of digitalization adopted by criminal networks, to expand their reach and influence over the youth.
The group, known locally as “Sai Malam,” operated discreetly across parts of Sokoto State. Investigators discovered that the WhatsApp group was central to their operations, promising secret powers and loyalty to new recruits.
The suspects confessed to using the WhatsApp platform to initiate members remotely. Police described the strategy as an attempt to exploit impressionable young people who might be seeking belonging or protection.
The breakthrough came Friday night when the Anti-Kidnapping Unit raided the group’s location. The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Musa, framed the arrests as a response to public outcry regarding youth involvement in harmful secret societies.
Police spokesperson Ahmed Rufai emphasized the need for parents to scrutinize their children’s digital footprint, stressing that social media is becoming a frontline for criminal manipulation.
The police have launched a manhunt for fleeing members of the “Sai Malam” group, in order to restore law and order across the state.
FG cracks down on bandits social media accounts
December 23, 2025
