Bandits have plunged residents of several Sokoto communities into fresh panic after issuing a N20 million levy, claiming it must be paid to prevent attacks.
The announcement has heightened fear among villagers who have already endured months of insecurity and sporadic assaults, deepening an atmosphere of uncertainty.
The ultimatum emerged through an audio message circulated among locals, in which the gang’s commander instructed traditional leaders to gather their people and communicate the compulsory payment.
The recording also contains the voice of the armed group’s leader insisting on immediate compliance and stressing that another meeting be convened to reinforce the order.
In addition, the audio carried an unambiguous threat, in which the bandit leader warned that any attempt to resist would result in violent retaliation, including killings and mass abductions.
The affected communities are located in the Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, particularly within the Kilgori district.
Residents said the message spread quickly across Bakale and neighbouring settlements, leaving families unsettled and unsure of how to respond.
A resident familiar with the situation explained that the gang framed the levy as a “mandatory condition for survival.” According to him, the group claimed that the payment would guarantee stability and deter rival gangs. “They told us the money is the only assurance that no one will come here to attack or kidnap us,” he said.
Community leaders confirmed that Bakale is not alone. An elder from the area, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, explained that the gang had circulated similar notices to several villages.
He listed Bazar, Alkalije, Gari, Dagel, Adarawa, Kwaidaza, Kilgori Runji, Tudu, Tile, Kibiyare, and Barmadu as settlements facing related threats.
Adding further, he said the levies vary from village to village, ranging between N3 million and N20 million, depending on population size and perceived vulnerability.
The elder also recounted that recent attacks claimed six lives in Alkalije and four in Tile, further deepening fear across the region.
The Guild reports that the developments in Kilgori underscore the expanding complexity of Nigeria’s banditry crisis, which continues to spread across rural communities with devastating consequences.
This escalating pressure on Sokoto’s vulnerable villages reflects a broader pattern of security breakdowns, highlighting how quickly criminal networks adapt when state authority appears distant or overstretched.
