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Residents of Kebbe town in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State are gripped by fear after suspected bandits allegedly demanded N40 million from the community and threatened to launch a deadly attack if the money is not paid.
The demand was reportedly conveyed through a resident, Abara Jaji, who was intercepted by the gunmen while on his way to fetch firewood.
According to sources, Jaji abandoned his motorcycle and attempted to flee after spotting the bandits, but they chased and apprehended him.
The attackers reportedly questioned him about his community before handing him a Tecno mobile phone with a SIM card and directing him to deliver it to the District Head of Kebbe or his representative.
The bandits allegedly warned that the community must pay N40 million or face an attack that would include the destruction of property.
A witness said Jaji delivered the phone to the representative of the District Head, Murtala Muhammad, on Tuesday morning, after which the bandits called and repeated their demand.
The representative reportedly informed the callers that such a decision could only be taken after consulting the entire community.
He later reported the incident to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), where security officials were present. During the meeting, the bandits allegedly called again, and their threat was heard by everyone after the phone was placed on loudspeaker.
The development has sparked panic in the community, with many residents reportedly fleeing the town over fears of an imminent attack.
Some residents said families were abandoning their homes and spending nights elsewhere because of uncertainty over the security situation.
They urged authorities not to pay the money, warning that doing so would encourage further extortion by criminal groups.
Instead, they called on the Federal Government and security agencies to deploy more personnel to the area to protect lives and property.
Another resident confirmed that commercial activities had been disrupted, with the town's market recording low patronage as many people, particularly women and children, fled to safer locations.
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the command was aware of the threat and was taking appropriate action.
The latest incident comes amid renewed insecurity in Kebbe Local Government Area, where several deadly attacks by bandits have been recorded in recent weeks, including the killing of security personnel and dozens of residents.
