Group Captain (retired) John Ibiwari Ben Kalio was Administrator of Yobe State from August 1996 to August 1998 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha.In October 1997, Yobe State Television aired a 45-minute documentary on the achievements of his predecessor, Police Commander Dabo Aliyu. According to Media Rights Agenda, Kalio ordered the arrest of the eight workers on duty at the station, which was shut down, and had them taken to his office where they were beaten.