You must pay us N100m or face attack, bandits tell Kebbi community

Suspected bandits have triggered a wave of panic in the Utouno community of Kebbi State after delivering a written threat demanding a ₦100 million “levy” to allow religious activities to continue.

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Residents of the Utouno community in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State are living in fear following a chilling letter from suspected bandits demanding ₦100 million in exchange for safety. The armed group, suspected to be members of the notorious “Lakurawa” sect, reportedly addressed the message to community leaders, warning that failure to pay would result in a deadly invasion. The threat has caused widespread anxiety, particularly as the group referenced a previous massacre in the Woro community of Kwara State as a grim example of what happens when their demands are ignored.

The letter, which residents say was delivered in the early hours, explicitly warned the community against seeking military protection. “This is not a joke. We are coming to preach. You must pay us ₦100 million. If you refuse, you will face the consequences and have no one to blame but yourselves. Even if you call soldiers, they cannot stop us,” the group stated. Abbas Alkali, a local resident, confirmed the receipt of the letter to journalists, noting that the entire community is currently in a state of high alert as many families have begun discussing emergency evacuation plans.

In response to the escalating tension, the Kebbi State Government has announced the immediate deployment of security forces and air surveillance to the Ngaski axis. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, confirmed that the administration is working closely with the Director of Security to forestall any potential attack. Despite these assurances, the threat follows a recent surge in violence in the region, including an attack in Arewa Local Government Area that left over 30 people dead, leaving Utouno residents skeptical of the government’s ability to provide a permanent shield against the encroaching gunmen.

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