Bandits demand N40m levy from Sokoto residents, threaten fresh attack

Residents of Kebbe town in Sokoto State's Kebbe Local Government Area are grappling with heightened security concerns after suspected bandits threatened to levy N40 million on the community or face dire consequences. According to reports from Crisis Reporter Bakastine, the bandits delivered this demand to the District Head, Mallam Lawal Labbo, through a farmer who presented a telephone handset.

Initially, the bandits gave the community five days to fulfill the levy, but after appeals from residents, the deadline was extended to seven days. The telephone was then handed to the Divisional Police Officer for the area. The bandits reportedly threatened to attack the town if the community did not answer their calls, warning of potential harm to residents if the demanded sum was not paid.

Confirming the threat, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, stated that the police were aware of the situation and were actively working to resolve it. The escalating tension and the looming deadline have left residents fearful of a potential attack if the bandits' demands are not met.