Three youths in Shani Local Government Area of Borno State have allegedly been arrested by the police following a Facebook post highlighting the council’s receipt of more than N3.11 billion in Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds between January and June 2026.
The affected youths were identified as Salihu Yahaya, Haruna Mohammed and Muhammed Mallum.
Sources close to the youths alleged that their arrest was carried out following a complaint or directive linked to the chairman of Shani Local Government Area.
The controversy reportedly arose after information was shared on Facebook indicating that Shani Local Government received a total of N3.110 billion in federal allocations between January and June 2026.
A Facebook post seen by The News Chronicle carried an image with the caption: “Shani Local Government Received 3.110 Billion Allocation From Federal Government From January To June 2026.”
The figure was reportedly based on an analysis of monthly FAAC disbursement reports released by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
Sources said the three youths were arrested in Shani and taken into police custody, where they were allegedly threatened with possible transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) or the Department of State Services (DSS) in Maiduguri.
According to the sources, the youths were not accused of engaging in any activity other than sharing or posting information concerning the allocations received by the local government.
The alleged arrests have generated concern among youths in the area, with several residents reportedly taking to social media to demand their release.
One source said residents were worried that the youths were allegedly detained for sharing information that could be verified through official FAAC allocation records.
“Our concern is that they only shared information about the allocation received by the local government. If the authorities believe the information is wrong, they should explain where the figures are wrong instead of arresting them,” the source said.
Another source said the development had created fear among young people who use social media platforms to discuss public affairs and issues affecting the local government.
As of the time of filing this report, the whereabouts and current status of the three youths could not be independently confirmed.
Meanwhile, an analysis of monthly FAAC disbursement reports from January to June 2026 showed that Shani Local Government Area received a cumulative total of N3,110,132,578.97 during the six-month period.
The records showed that the council received N514.80 million in January, N533.46 million in February, N474.92 million in March, N496.11 million in April, N551.90 million in May, and N538.95 million in June.
The highest monthly allocation during the period was recorded in May, when the local government received N551.90 million, while the lowest allocation of N474.92 million was recorded in March.
In January, Shani received N514.80 million, comprising N225.94 million in net statutory allocation, N12.07 million from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), N6.78 million in net ecology allocation and N270.02 million from Value Added Tax (VAT).
The February allocation stood at N533.46 million, including N184.33 million in net statutory allocation, N22.85 million in augmentation, N6.22 million in net ecology allocation and N320.05 million in VAT.
In March, the allocation dropped to N474.92 million, comprising N266.01 million in net statutory allocation, N7.98 million in ecology allocation and N200.94 million in VAT.
Shani received N496.11 million in April, including N274.29 million in net statutory allocation, N45.71 million in augmentation, N13.54 million from solid mineral revenue, N10.01 million in ecology allocation and N152.58 million in VAT.
The council recorded its highest allocation in May, receiving N551.90 million. The amount comprised N252.02 million in net statutory allocation, N57.13 million in augmentation, N9.27 million in ecology allocation and N233.47 million in VAT.
In June, Shani received N538.95 million, comprising N325.28 million in net statutory allocation, N9.76 million in ecology allocation and N203.91 million in VAT.
The six-month analysis showed that statutory allocation and VAT constituted the major components of Shani Local Government’s FAAC receipts, while augmentation, EMTL, ecology and solid mineral revenue varied across the months.
The alleged arrests have continued to raise concerns among residents and social media users, as calls mount for the authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the detention of the three youths.
