The permanent secretary, Cabinet Affairs, Kebbi state, Nasiru Abubakar Kigo, has retracted the statement he made on the prevalence of homosexuality and lesbianism in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
In an overview he rendered at a public lecture in Birnin Kebbi during the Ramadan, Kigo presented false statistics of so-called number of registered gay and lesbian groups in the two states which proved to be baseless and untrue.
Consequently, Kebbi state government suspended him from office and referred the matter to the appropriate religious authorities for further investigation.
Under the auspices of the Kebbi Council of Ulama, Kigo was summoned to provide proof of his allegation which he admitted to be entirely false.
The council convened a news briefing in Birnin Kebbi, Sunday, to allow the permanent secretary to unequivocally withdraw the declaration he made, and tender unreserved apology to the governments and people of Sokoto and Kebbi states, as well as the entire Muslim population for portraying them in negative light.
“I Nasiru Abubakar Kigo, have realised that I made mistake and offended the sensibilities of Muslims in Sokoto and Kebbi states, and in other places at a lecture held in Birnin Kebbi on 15/3/2025.
“I am highly remorseful and seek for forgiveness on the statistics concerning lesbianism and homosexuality.
“I have no basis for the statistics. Mistake has been committed coupled with the negative image therein.
“I appeal to all those bearing the offensive video clips to delete them permanently,” Kigo said.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Kebbi state Zakkat, Sadaqat and Waqaf Board, Sheikh Umar Isa Magaji, informed journalists that, the council investigated the declaration made by Kigo in an overview at a lecture, and discovered that it was a mistake and untrue.