Residents of Kebbe town in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State are living in fear after suspected bandits demanded N40 million from the community and threatened to attack if the money is not paid.
The threat was reportedly delivered through a resident, Abara Jaji, who was intercepted by the bandits while on his way to fetch firewood. A source familiar with the incident told Daily Trust that Jaji was travelling along a route reportedly used by the bandits when he spotted them and fled, abandoning his motorcycle. The bandits pursued him on motorcycles, caught up with him and surrounded him.
According to the source, the bandits asked Jaji where he was from. Jaji, who was reportedly trembling with fear, told them he was from Kebbe while pleading that he had no money. The bandits then gave him a Tecno phone containing a SIM card and instructed him to deliver it to the District Head of Kebbe or his representative. The phone reportedly came with the words, Sha kidanka bakauye. They demanded N40 million from the community, threatening to attack the town and burn properties if the money was not paid.
A witness, who requested anonymity, said Jaji arrived at the residence of the District Head, Sarkin Kabin Kebbe, Alhaji Muhammad Labbo Margai, at about 9:30am on Tuesday and met his representative, Murtala Muhammad. Jaji explained that the bandits had sent him with the phone. According to the witness, the bandits later called the phone and repeated their demand for N40 million. Murtala reportedly told the callers that the matter concerned the entire community and that he could not make the decision alone. He subsequently took Jaji to the DPO, where other security officials in the local government were also present. While they were explaining the situation to the security officials, the bandits called again. The call was put on hands-free, so everyone heard what the bandits were demanding, the witness said.
However, another source familiar with the development said a person close to the security authorities told him that arrangements were being made to raise the money, with payment expected on Sunday. The bandits had reportedly given the community an ultimatum extending to Sunday to raise the demanded N40 million.
The development has reportedly triggered fear among residents, with some already leaving the town. Just now, my mother and a younger sister who came home for a post-natal bath have left the town because of the fear that failure to fulfil the promise could become a problem. Some people are not sleeping in their houses now, the resident said. He said residents had yet to see any additional deployment of security personnel in the town. 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, just as they are doing to Gwandi village. If they are given the money, it will open the way for them to continue extorting us. We want more security personnel deployed so that even if they attack, they can be repelled, he said.
Another resident who was present when Jaji delivered the message also confirmed the development. He said the bandits threatened to enter the town and kill residents if their demand was not met. According to him, the bandits initially wanted the money to be paid on Tuesday, but the representative of the Sarkin Kabin Kebbe asked for time to consult the community before a decision was made. He said the threat affected commercial activities in the town, with the market recording low patronage on Tuesday, while many residents, particularly women, fled in fear. He added that some residents had started leaving the town because of fears of an attack.