Panic as bandits impose N40m levy on Sokoto community 

Bandits impose N40m levy on Sokoto community, threaten attack

By Salim Ashir Mahuta, Sokoto

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 and burn properties if the money was 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 used by the bandits when he spotted them and fled, abandoning his motorcycle.

The source said the bandits pursued him on motorcycles, caught up with him and surrounded him.

According to the source, they asked where he was from, and Jaji, who was reportedly trembling with fear, told them he was from Kebbe after pleading that he had no money.

The bandits then gave him a Tecno phone (Sha kidanka bakauye) containing a SIM card and instructed him to deliver it to the District Head of Kebbe or his representative.

They reportedly demanded N40 million from the community, threatening to attack the town and burn properties if the demand was not met. The bandits told Jaji.

A witness who requested anonymity said Jaji arrived at the residence of the District Head, (Sarkin Kabin Kebbe), Alhaji Muhammad Labbo Margai and met his  representative, Murtala Muhammad, at about 9:30am on Tuesday and explained that the bandits had sent him with the phone.

He said the bandits later called the phone and repeated their demand for N40 million.

According to him, Murtala 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 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.

The residents opposed payment of the money, instead calling for increased security presence in the community.

The spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the command was aware of the development and was working on it.

“They’re fully aware and they’re working on it,” he said.

Attempts by Daily Trust to obtain comments from the Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Area, Hon. Musa Garba Kuci, and the Sokoto State Government spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa, were unsuccessful as they did not answer calls or respond to text messages sent to them.

The latest threat comes amid a series of deadly attacks in Kebbe Local Government Area in recent weeks.

On August 3, while exchanging fire with bandits at Zugu village in Kebbe LGA, ASP Bala Wakili was killed and two patrol vehicles  were set ablaze— one belonging to the police and the other to the Sokoto Community Guard Corps. According to sources.

On August 14, four soldiers were killed when bandits attacked Kebbe town.

The same day, 34 people were killed in an attack on Ungushi village in Kebbe LGA.

Following the attacks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division deployed additional security personnel and weapons to the area.