Terrorists Demand N100 Million Ransom from Kebbi Community

Suspected terrorists have sparked widespread panic in the Utono community of Kebbi State after demanding a N100 million payment from residents. The armed group delivered a formal letter to community leaders in the Ngaski Local Government Area, threatening a deadly invasion if their demands are not met.

The extortion letter left no room for negotiation, explicitly stating that local resistance or military intervention would be futile. The group wrote, “This is not a joke. We are coming to preach. 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.”

This threat follows a surge of insecurity across Kebbi and neighboring states, where rural communities frequently face kidnappings and attacks. The group heightened the terror by referencing a previous massacre in the Woro community of Kwara State, where residents were killed after ignoring a similar ultimatum.

Local residents are reportedly terrified, with many families already making emergency evacuation plans to avoid a potential raid. An anonymous community source confirmed the atmosphere of fear, noting, “People are scared. The mention of what happened in Woro has made the threat more frightening. Many families are already discussing safety plans in case anything happens.”

In response to the crisis, the Kebbi State government has announced an immediate mobilization of security forces to protect the area. Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, stated that the administration is taking the threat seriously and has moved swiftly to reassure the public.

Security personnel have been deployed to Utono, and the state has initiated aerial surveillance to monitor the movements of armed groups in the region. A security source confirmed that reinforcements are now on the ground to prevent any breach of peace or loss of life.

While the community remains on high alert, the heavy presence of security forces aims to deter the terrorists from carrying out their ultimatum. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle for safety in rural Nigeria as residents wait to see if these measures will be enough to protect their homes.