Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, investigative Journalist at Sele Media Africa.
Armed bandits operating in parts of Kebbi South have reportedly issued a N100 million ransom demand to residents of Utouno community in Ngaski Local Government Area, intensifying fears of a fresh wave of violence in Nigeria’s North-West.Local sources confirmed that the armed groups delivered the threat through intermediaries, warning that failure to meet the financial demand would result in a coordinated attack on the agrarian settlement. Community leaders are said to be in urgent consultations with local authorities and security agencies to prevent an escalation. Ngaski Local Government Area, located in southern Kebbi State, has in recent years witnessed spillover attacks linked to bandit networks active across the North-West and North-Central corridors. Though Kebbi has not recorded the same scale of violence as neighbouring Zamfara, Sokoto, and parts of Niger State, security analysts warn that armed groups are increasingly expanding their operational footprint. The development underscores the persistent security challenges confronting Nigeria’s North-West region, where criminal gangs—commonly referred to as bandits—have engaged in mass kidnappings, village raids, cattle rustling, and extortion. According to reports by reputable outlets such as BBC News, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Premium Times, ransom demands targeting rural communities have become a recurring tactic, often leaving residents trapped between compliance and displacement. Security experts note that ransom demands placed on entire communities represent a troubling shift from individual abductions to collective financial extortion. This strategy places immense pressure on already vulnerable rural populations whose livelihoods depend largely on subsistence farming and fishing along the River Niger basin. While Kebbi State authorities have yet to issue a comprehensive public statement on the specific threat to Utouno, state and federal security forces have in recent months reiterated commitments to intensify operations against armed groups in the wider North-West zone. Joint military and police operations have been deployed across affected states under various counter-banditry frameworks, though sporadic attacks persist. Residents in Ngaski and surrounding areas are now calling for swift, visible security intervention to prevent a humanitarian crisis. Civil society groups warn that failure to decisively address such threats risks triggering displacement, food insecurity, and further erosion of public trust in state protection mechanisms. As communities across northern Nigeria continue to grapple with insecurity, the situation in Utouno reflects the broader structural challenges of rural policing, arms proliferation, and cross-border criminal networks. For many residents, the immediate priority remains survival—while long-term solutions demand coordinated security, economic, and governance reforms. Sources:BBC News; Reuters; Al Jazeera; Premium Times.
Afilawos Magana Sur is a journalist from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, currently based in Bauchi metropolis. He is known for his commitment to accurate, ethical, and responsible journalism, with a focus on reporting issues of public relevance and community development.
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