Alleged Secret Airport: Kebbi NDLEA Commander, Information Commissioner Call It ‘Deepfake’ Video As Argungu Monarch Says Its Existence In His Domain ‘Impossible’
The Emir of Argungu, Kebbi State, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera, has described as false, mischievous, and a product of imagination the content of a viral video alleging existence of a secret airstrip used for drug smuggling in his domain.
A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that the highly revered traditional ruler expressed deep concern over the circulation of such a fabricated story, which he described as an attempt to malign the good image of Argungu Emirate and Kebbi State as a whole.
The Emir added that Argungu’s Sahelian terrain which features open farmlands and sparse vegetation, makes it geographically impossible for any hidden forest or secret airstrip to exist within its vicinity.
‘Anyone familiar with Argungu knows that our land is flat and open. There is no forest thick enough to conceal any airstrip or illegal activity of that nature’ he emphasized.
Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera also noted that when the video first surfaced online about a week ago, he had initially ignored it, considering it too ridiculous to warrant attention but when it continued to circulate widely, and was even forwarded to him by the Sultan, he felt it necessary to issue a formal statement to prevent silence from being misinterpreted as acceptance.
He categorically described the story as fake news, totally unfounded, and devoid of any iota of truth while urging members of the public to disregard the malicious claims and avoid spreading content from unverified online sources that seek to create confusion and discredit law-abiding communities.
Commending the Kebbi State Government, security agencies, and the NDLEA for promptly investigating and refuting the allegation, the Emir reaffirmed his commitment to peace, truth, and development.
He also urged journalists and social media users in the country to embrace professionalism and verification before publishing or sharing any report that could damage reputations or undermine public confidence while assuring all that Argungu Emirate remains peaceful and fully supportive of all government efforts toward sustaining security and stability in Kebbi State and Nigeria in general.
In the meanwhile, Kebbi State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Rabi’u Abdullahi Sokoto, and the State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, have also described rumours of existence of a ‘secret’ airport in the state as untrue.
They also asserted that the source of the rumours of the secret airport that allegedly serves as a drug trafficking site is a ‘deepfake video’.
A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by Governor Nasir Idris’ Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yahaya Sarki noted that Mr Rabi’u and Alhaji Yakubu said this during the joint press conference held in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday evening.
According to the NDLEA Commander, the story about a so-called secret airport in Kebbi State is entirely false and was generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
He explained that following the directive of the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, the Command conducted a thorough investigation into the alleged airstrip in Argungu Forest, which the false report claimed was being used for cocaine trafficking between Nigeria and Bogotá, Colombia.
‘On the orders of the NDLEA Chairman, Gen. Marwa, our officers visited the alleged site, and we can confirm that there is nothing of such in that forest.
Investigations also revealed that there is no one in Kebbi State known as Ibrahim Musa, a retired Assistant Comptroller of Customs, who was alleged to have constructed the airport.
How can a so-called secret airport supposedly contain 12 aircraft at once? The short video circulating online is AI-generated and intended to mislead the public for ulterior motives’ he added.
Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed, also described the report as childish, illogical, and laughable.
‘This is yet another baseless attempt by desperate politicians to smear Governor Nasir Idris and the good people of Kebbi State in their bid to gain power by any means.
This is both irresponsible and criminal. Such individuals do not care about the damage they cause to the image of the state as long as it serves their ambition’ he said.
The Information Commissioner urged the people of Kebbi State to remain vigilant and disregard such malicious fabrications.
‘The enemies of progress will continue to try, but they will not succeed. Do not give them the chance’ Alhaji Yakubu submitted while condemning attempts to tarnish the image of the Governor Nasir Idris administration despite the numerous developmental achievements recorded across the state.
In a related development, the Kebbi State Police Command also dismissed the report as baseless, misleading, and an orchestrated attempt to discredit both the state and the Police Command.
A statement issued in Birnin Kebbi by spokesman for the state police command, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar noted that the fake report was designed to create unnecessary fear, embolden criminal elements, and undermine the professionalism and dedication of officers in the fight against crime-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you
