By Abdulqadir Muhammad Alhaji
A young boy has been apprehended in Kebbi State after allegedly spending about one year posing as a deaf person in order to secretly gather and pass information to suspected kidnappers operating in the area.
According to local sources, the suspect, who reportedly acted as an informant, pretended to be unable to speak or hear while living among residents. However, investigations revealed that he is neither deaf nor mute. Whenever he mingled with members of the community, he allegedly maintained the disguise to avoid suspicion while monitoring activities and movements within the neighborhood.
The suspect was reportedly arrested following security breakthroughs in Unguwar Maƙerar Gandu, Birnin Kebbi. During preliminary questioning, he allegedly confessed that he and two others were assigned to the area to collect intelligence on selected targets.
He further claimed that individuals who trained them in sign language are said to be residing in Harasawa, also within Birnin Kebbi. The boy is reportedly an indigene of Niger State.
Residents expressed shock over the development, noting that the suspect appeared harmless and would not ordinarily attract suspicion. Community members described the incident as a disturbing reminder of the evolving tactics used by criminal elements to infiltrate neighborhoods.
Security authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter at the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, residents have been urged to remain vigilant and to verify the identity of unfamiliar individuals within their communities.
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