Residents of Kebbe town in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State are living in fear after suspected bandits allegedly demanded N40m from the community and threatened to attack if the money was not paid.
The gunmen reportedly issued the demand as a levy, warning that failure to raise the money within an agreed deadline would lead to killings and the destruction of the town.
The development was disclosed by Crisis Reporter, Bakastine, in a post on his X handle.
According to the report, the bandits communicated their demand through a farmer, who was said to have delivered a mobile phone to the District Head of Kebbe, Mallam Lawal Labbo.
The suspected criminals initially reportedly gave residents five days to raise the N40m but extended the deadline to seven days following appeals from members of the community.
The phone was later handed over to the Divisional Police Officer in the area for necessary action.
The bandits allegedly instructed that the handset must remain charged and accessible, warning that they could launch an attack if their calls were ignored.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the command was aware of the reported threat and had commenced efforts to prevent any attack.
Rufai said the command, alongside its Anti-Kidnapping Unit, was already acting on the information received.
“We are aware of the information and we, together with our Anti-Kidnapping Unit, AKU, are already working on the information,” he said.
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The police spokesman also confirmed that the suspected bandits had reportedly issued the community an ultimatum to raise the N40m.
The reported demand has heightened tension in Kebbe, with residents increasingly concerned about their safety as the alleged deadline draws closer.
Security agencies are expected to intensify efforts in the area to prevent the threatened attack and protect residents and their property.
