Bandits threaten to takeover Sokoto community, demand N40m levy

Suspected bandits have demanded 40 million naira from Kebbe Town in Sokoto State, threatening to attack the community if residents fail to raise the money.

Local sources said the group delivered its demand through a farmer who took a telephone to Kebbe District Head Mallam Lawal Labbo. The community initially received five days to produce the money, but the deadline was later extended after residents appealed. The telephone was subsequently handed to the area’s divisional police officer.

The bandits allegedly warned that the phone must remain charged and reachable. They threatened to attack the town if their calls went unanswered. Sokoto State police spokesperson DSP Ahmed Rufai confirmed that the command knew about the reported threat and was working with its Anti-Kidnapping Unit. He said the reported ultimatum now runs until Sunday.

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We are aware of the information and we, together with our Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU), are already working on the information.

The demand has heightened anxiety among residents, who fear a possible attack if they cannot meet it. African Democratic Congress governorship candidate Manir Muhammad Dan’iya described the situation as “grave” and said communities should not have to negotiate their survival with criminal groups. He called on Governor Ahmed Aliyu and the federal government to deploy additional security personnel, intelligence resources and operational support to Kebbe and other vulnerable communities.

Dan’iya also urged security agencies to coordinate with traditional rulers and local residents. “Sokoto is under siege and the people cannot afford another tragedy. Government must stop treating insecurity as a political talking point and start treating it as the emergency it is,” he said.

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Sokoto is under siege and the people cannot afford another tragedy. Government must stop treating insecurity as a political talking point and start treating it as the emergency it is.