Some bandits have imposed a N40 million levy on residents of a community in Sokoto State, threatening to kill them and burn their houses if the money is not paid within seven days.
The bandits were said to have sent a message to residents of Kebbe town in Kebbe Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday afternoon, threatening fire and brimstone if the money doesn’t get to them on the said day.
It was gathered that the bandits initially gave the community five days to pay up in a message sent to the District Head of the community, but following pleas, the deadline was extended to seven days (next Tuesday).
A source close to the community told Impact Nigeria News Online on Wednesday that the bandits even sent a phone to the District Head with an instruction that it should be given to the Divisional Police Officer of the police station in the community.
They were said to have informed the District Head that they sent the phone to the DPO so that they will be able to make regular calls regarding the payment of the levy and that they will attack the community if their calls are not answered.
The development has left residents in panic while some, especially women and children, are being moved out of the community over fear of attacks.
In another sad development, on Tuesday afternoon, bandits abducted a village head while he was working on his farm on the outskirts of Magana community in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to sources, the bandits demanded seven jerrycans of petrol and also asked his family to go to Bena and buy motorcycle spare parts for them.
“This is another worrying example of how armed groups continue to exploit rural communities, forcing residents to provide items that could support their operations,” one of the sources lamented.
