Residents of Kebbe town in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State have been thrown into panic after suspected bandits reportedly demanded N40m from the community and threatened to attack if the money was not paid.
The threat was allegedly conveyed through a resident, Abara Jaji, who was intercepted by the bandits while on his way to fetch firewood.
Sources said Jaji was travelling on a route allegedly used by the bandits when he spotted them and abandoned his motorcycle before fleeing.
The bandits reportedly pursued him on motorcycles, caught up with him and demanded to know his community.
After Jaji identified himself as a resident of Kebbe and pleaded that he had no money, the bandits allegedly handed him a Tecno phone containing a SIM card and ordered him to deliver it to the District Head of Kebbe or his representative.
The phone reportedly carried the message, “Sha kidanka bakauye,” while the bandits allegedly demanded N40m from the community.
They were said to have threatened to invade the town and set properties ablaze if the money was not paid.
Jaji reportedly arrived at the residence of the District Head, Sarkin Kabin Kebbe, Alhaji Muhammad Labbo Margai, at about 9:30am on Tuesday, where he met his representative, Murtala Muhammad.
A witness said Jaji narrated his ordeal and handed over the phone to the representative.
According to the witness, the bandits later called the phone and repeated their demand.
Murtala reportedly told the callers that the matter concerned the entire community and that he could not take a decision alone.
He subsequently took Jaji to the Divisional Police Officer, where other security officials in the local government were also briefed.
The witness said the bandits called again while Jaji and the officials were discussing the matter, with the conversation allegedly put on speaker mode so that those present could hear the demand.
However, another source said a person close to the security authorities had indicated that efforts were being made to raise the money, with payment allegedly expected on Sunday.
The development has heightened anxiety in the community, with some residents reportedly leaving Kebbe for fear of a possible attack.
One resident said his mother and younger sister, who had returned to the town for a post-natal bath, had already left because of the threat.
“Some people are not sleeping in their houses now,” the resident said.
The resident lamented that there had been no visible reinforcement of security personnel in the town despite the threat.
He urged the authorities not to allow the community to pay the alleged levy, warning that doing so could encourage the bandits to impose further financial demands.
“We do not want them to be given the money because if they are paid, they will continue imposing such levies on us from time to time,” he said.
He called for the deployment of more security personnel to protect residents and repel any possible attack.
Another resident who witnessed the delivery of the message confirmed the development, saying the bandits threatened to enter the town and kill residents if their demand was not met.
He said the bandits initially demanded payment on Tuesday, but the representative of the district head requested more time to consult the community.
The threat has reportedly affected economic activities in Kebbe, as the town’s market recorded low patronage on Tuesday, while several residents, particularly women, reportedly fled.
The residents appealed to the government and security agencies to strengthen security in the area rather than allow the alleged levy to be paid.
Contacted on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, confirmed that the command was aware of the development.
“They’re fully aware and they’re working on it,” he said.
Attempts to obtain comments from the Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Area, Musa Garba Kuci, and the Sokoto State Government spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to them were unanswered.
The latest threat comes against the backdrop of a series of deadly attacks recorded in Kebbe LGA in recent weeks.
On August 3, a police officer, ASP Bala Wakili, was reportedly killed during a gun battle with bandits at Zugu village. Two patrol vehicles, belonging to the police and the Sokoto Community Guard Corps, were also reportedly burnt.
On August 14, four soldiers were killed when bandits attacked Kebbe town, while 34 people were reportedly killed the same day during an attack on Ungushi village in the local government area.
Following the attacks, the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, reportedly deployed additional troops and weapons to the area.
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