Suspected terrorists have sent a chilling letter to residents of Utono community in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State, demanding N100 million or face severe consequences, including a possible attack.
The handwritten letter, reportedly written in Hausa and dated February 17, 2026, was delivered to community leaders in the early hours of Thursday, February 19 or 20.
It warned that the group intends to enter the town to “preach” but would only do so after receiving the payment.Key excerpts from the letter, as quoted in multiple reports, include:
“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.”
The threat has triggered widespread panic among residents, with many families reportedly making emergency safety plans.
A community source, speaking anonymously, told reporters that the reference to a prior attack on the Woro (or Woru) community in Kaima Local Government Area of Kwara State, where people were killed after ignoring a similar warning has intensified fears.
While the letter could not be independently verified at the time of reporting, the development has heightened tension in the area amid rising insecurity in Kebbi and neighboring northwestern states.
Armed groups have increasingly targeted rural communities with kidnappings, extortion, and violence.
The Kebbi State Government has responded swiftly. Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris, confirmed that security forces have been deployed to Utono and surrounding areas.
Additional measures, including air surveillance, are in place to deter any potential assault.A security source also affirmed that reinforcements have bolstered presence in the community, with residents remaining on high alert.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of recent deadly attacks in Kebbi, including one attributed to the Lakurawa militant group that killed at least 34 people in communities in Arewa LGA earlier this week.
Such threats and extortion attempts continue to plague rural northwest Nigeria, where insurgents exploit remote locations to demand payments framed as “zakat” or other levies.
Authorities have urged calm while intensifying efforts to secure vulnerable communities and prevent escalation.
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