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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 if the money is 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 reportedly 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, the bandits asked Jaji where he was from. Jaji, who was reportedly trembling with fear, told them he was from Kebbe while pleading that he had no money.

The bandits then gave him a Tecno phone, containing a SIM card, and instructed him to deliver it to the District Head of Kebbe or his representative. The phone reportedly came with the words, “Sha kidanka bakauye.”

They reportedly demanded N40 million from the community, threatening to attack the town and burn properties if the money was not paid.

A witness, who requested anonymity, said Jaji arrived at the residence of the District Head, Sarkin Kabin Kebbe, Alhaji Muhammad Labbo Margai, at about 9:30am on Tuesday and met his representative, Murtala Muhammad.

He said Jaji explained that the bandits had sent him with the phone.

According to the witness, the bandits later called the phone and repeated their demand for N40 million.

Murtala reportedly 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, ASP Bala Wakili was killed while exchanging fire with bandits at Zugu village in Kebbe LGA. Two patrol vehicles were also 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.

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The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed three policemen over the k!lling of 22-year-old Anthony Obodo, a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Adepoju, who disclosed this in a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, September 2, said the decision was following an orderly trial conducted on the suspects and others at large.

Adepoju said on August 27th, a police patrol team led by one Fabian Kpeanabari, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, had shot and k!lled Anthony after it was alleged that the victim, who was driving in a tinted Lexus car, had refused to stop after the police team had flagged him down.

The victim, who was waiting for his NYSC call-up letter, was shot de@d at the popular Ada George Road in Port Harcourt by the dismissed police officers.

The development has sparked pandemonium in the state as youths from the Ndele Community in the Emohua Local Government Area of the state and other areas stormed the Agip area of Port Harcourt in heavy protest.

Speaking, Adepoju said the affected officers would subsequently be charged to court to face the appropriate criminal charges in accordance with the law.

“I am here to provide updates on some serious incidents recently recorded in the state, including the investigation into the de@th of one Anthony A. Obodo, ‘Male’, a student, following a police pursuit and unfortunate shooting incident, as well as the arrest of suspected members of a one-chance robbery syndicate operating within Port Harcourt and its environs.

Let me state clearly that the Rivers State Police Command places a high premium on professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and the protection of lives and property.

Where allegations of misconduct or criminality are made against police personnel, we will not shield any officer found to have acted outside the law under my watch.

The patrol team consequently gave chase to the deceased, and during the pursuit, Corporal Alfred Louis, who is attached to the patrol team, opened fire at the vehicle, and a bullet hit the driver identified as Anthony A. Obodo, who sustained a gunshot injury.

The victim was immediately rushed to Palmer’s Hospital, Port Harcourt, where he was attended to and subsequently confirmed de@d by the doctor on duty.

The three members of the patrol team were immediately arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation, where a Department (SCID), Port-Harcourt, comprehensive investigation into the case was carried out.”

He mentioned that they will subsequently be charged to court to face the appropriate criminal charges in accordance with the law.

Adepoju mentioned that the action taken against these officers demonstrates that the Nigeria Police Force will not shield personnel who abuse the powers entrusted to them or act contrary to the law and professional standards of the Force.

‘’Let me reiterate that no police officer is above the law” he said .

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The Ogun State Government has issued a fresh flood alert ahead of the second phase of the 2026 rainy season, urging residents in vulnerable communities to remain vigilant and relocate to safer locations where necessary.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the warning followed a forecast by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which identified Ogun among the states expected to experience heavy rainfall in the coming weeks.

According to NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction, the second phase of the 2026 rainy season is expected to begin in September, with Ogun projected to experience intense rainfall averaging about 360mm during the month.

Oresanya said the state government would continue to monitor weather forecasts and hydrological conditions in collaboration with NiMet, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority and other relevant stakeholders.

The Commissioner warned that the expected rainfall could increase the risk of river and coastal flooding in parts of the state, particularly due to prolonged rainfall, controlled overflow from Oyan Dam and tidal fluctuations that could slow the flow of the Ogun River.

He explained that the combined effect of these factors could temporarily oversaturate wetlands and floodplains, increasing the risk of flooding in vulnerable communities.

Oresanya advised residents in Isheri, Arepo, Mawere, Magboro, Akute and Warewa, as well as parts of Abeokuta, to remain vigilant and relocate to safer locations where necessary.

He said the advisory also covers coastal communities including Makun-Omi, Iwopin, Oni, Ifaara and Igele in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area; Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East Local Government Area; Tungeji Island and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area; and communities located along the floodplains of the Ilo and Iju rivers.

The Commissioner also urged fish farmers operating within floodplains and river corridors to harvest their stocks promptly to minimise potential losses from flooding.

He specifically advised fish farmers in Eriwe, Yemule, Ilase and Ayegbami, as well as those in other vulnerable communities, to heed the warning without delay.

The state government said the first phase of the rainy season, which lasted from mid-March to July, recorded intense rainfall and isolated flash floods in some parts of Ogun, but with comparatively minimal impact.

Oresanya attributed the relatively low impact to proactive measures adopted by the government, including sustained public awareness and education, regular maintenance of rivers, streams and drainage channels, as well as improvements in waste management services.

“Particular attention had been given to major river channels and waterways, including Sokori River and its tributaries, Opa-Aro, Adiyan, Eruwuru, Yemule, Gbogidi Canal and Ijamido rivers and streams, among others,” he said.

The Commissioner called on relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Local Government Authorities, emergency response organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to intensify flood-response activities, regularly monitor vulnerable locations and ensure that drainage channels remain free of obstructions.

He also urged community leaders to strengthen public awareness campaigns in their respective areas, stressing that timely information and early action were critical to reducing the impact of possible flooding.

“The state government would continue to monitor weather forecasts and hydrological conditions in collaboration with NiMet, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority and other relevant stakeholders.”

Oresanya assured residents that the government would sustain its efforts to minimise the adverse impact of flooding across the state and appreciated residents for their cooperation with measures that contributed to the relatively low impact recorded during the first phase of the rainy season.

He urged residents to take the advisory seriously and remain responsive to further updates from the government and relevant emergency agencies.

Meanwhile, the state government’s call for residents in vulnerable areas to relocate has generated mixed reactions, with some residents appearing unprepared for the possibility of flooding.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, who also doubles as the General Manager of the state Waste Management Authority, Akintunde Farook, called for improved attitudes among residents towards waste disposal and other measures to help mitigate the expected impact of flooding.