Residents of Utouno community in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi South are living under a shadow of fear after armed bandits demanded N100 million, warning of a possible attack if their demand is not met.
The threat came in a letter addressed to the community leaders, referencing previous deadly raids to emphasize the seriousness of their warning.
“This is not a joke. You must pay us N100 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 letter read, citing a prior attack on Woro community in Kwara State as a warning.
Residents confirmed receiving the letter to ENigeria Newspaper, describing a tense atmosphere across the community. Abbas Alkali, a local resident, said, “Everyone is now living in fear. Some families have moved to safer areas, but those of us who have nowhere to go remain and pray for our safety.”
Malam Sa’ad Suleiman, a tailor, added that the timing of the threat (during Ramadan) has heightened anxiety among residents.
“The government must provide the necessary security because the attackers may strike at any moment,” he said.
Community leader Malam Ibrahim Bello emphasized that residents are taking the threat seriously. “We appeal to the government to deploy soldiers quickly. We believe the attackers may carry out their threat,” he stated.
Confirming the threat, Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, said the government has already deployed security personnel, including air surveillance, to protect the area.
“The state government is not compromising on security. Measures are in place to prevent any attack,” he added.
The threat comes amid a series of attacks by the Lakurawa group in Kebbi State, as reported by ENigeria Newspaper.
Last week, militants launched coordinated raids on eight communities in Arewa Local Government Area, killing more than 30 people and abducting others. The affected villages included Masama, Mamunu, Kamzo, Awashaka, Tungar Bature, Dan Mai Rago, Tungar Tsoho, and Gorin Dena.
Police said the attacks were linked to cattle rustling and that security operatives engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat in some areas. Last year, joint security forces neutralized dozens of Lakurawa fighters and over 80 bandits, demonstrating the state’s ongoing efforts to curb their operations.
Security experts describe the latest threats as an attempt by the Lakurawa group to assert their presence despite government crackdowns. “They are signaling that they remain active, but the state’s continued engagement with the army and security forces shows progress in suppressing them,” said Usman Aliyu, a security analyst.
Residents remain on high alert, while authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent a repeat of past tragedies.
