Residents of Kebbe Town in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State are reportedly facing a frightening new security threat after suspected bandits allegedly demanded ₦40 million from the community and threatened an attack if the money is not paid. According to local sources, the demand was reportedly communicated through a farmer who delivered a telephone handset to the District Head, Mallam Lawal Labbo, turning what should have been an ordinary phone into an unwelcome hotline to criminal extortion. The reported demand comes as Kebbe LGA continues to experience serious security concerns, with recent attacks in surrounding communities.
Suspected Bandits Threaten Kebbe Town Over Unpaid ₦40 Million Levy
The reported ₦40 million demand has raised fresh anxiety because the alleged criminals were not merely asking for money; they reportedly attached an ultimatum to the demand. Sources said the residents were initially given five days to raise the money before the deadline was extended following appeals from community members. In other words, the residents apparently got something resembling a deadline extension—but certainly not the kind anyone wants to receive from an armed criminal group.
The telephone reportedly handed over by the farmer was subsequently taken to the Divisional Police Officer, while other reports said the alleged bandits warned that the phone must remain charged and reachable. The bizarre detail adds another layer to an already disturbing situation: residents are reportedly dealing with a criminal demand that comes with customer-service expectations, except the “customer” is armed and the consequences of missing a call could allegedly be deadly.
When Criminals Start Sending Bills: Kebbe town Residents Face ₦40 Million Bandit Demand
The Sokoto State Police Command has acknowledged awareness of the reported threat. Police spokesperson DSP Ahmed Rufai said the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit was already working on the information, while reports indicated that the alleged ultimatum had been extended to Sunday. The development has consequently placed additional pressure on security agencies to prevent the threat from becoming another violent incident.
The concern is particularly serious because Kebbe LGA has recently witnessed deadly attacks. Police confirmed that 28 people were killed in an August attack on Ungushi community, while subsequent violence in other Kebbe communities also resulted in deaths, injuries, displacement and cattle rustling. These incidents demonstrate why the latest ₦40 million demand is being treated as more than a strange phone call—it is part of a wider security challenge confronting vulnerable communities in the area.
OGM News NG will continue to monitor developments as authorities respond to the reported threat and residents await what happens after the alleged deadline. For Kebbe residents, the central question is no longer simply who is calling the phone, but whether security agencies can ensure that criminal threats do not become another deadly reality. Watch out for future updates on this developing story from OGM News NG.
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