Bandits Slam ₦100 Million Levy On Kebbi Clerics After 33 Killed
Bandits Impose ₦100 Million “Preaching Tax” on Kebbi Community
RESIDENTS of Utouno village in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State are gripped by anxiety after suspected bandits allegedly demanded a ₦100 million levy from local Islamic preachers before permitting them to continue religious activities in the community.
The threat follows a deadly attack attributed to suspected Lakurawa bandits in Arewa South, under Kangiwa Local Government Area, where 33 people were reportedly killed. The sequence of events has heightened fears of a broader campaign of intimidation across parts of the state.
A Letter of Threat and Defiance
According to community sources, the demand was conveyed through a written message addressed to local leaders in Utouno. The letter reportedly warned residents not to disregard the instruction and asserted that the armed group was “not afraid of anybody,” including security forces.
A source in Birnin Kebbi, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the message has unsettled residents and disrupted normal activities in the area.
“The letter has created serious panic,” the source said. “People are afraid because of what happened in Kangiwa.”
Though the authenticity of the letter has not been independently verified, local authorities confirmed that security agencies are treating the matter as credible and have taken precautionary steps.
Religious Freedom Under Siege
The imposition of a financial levy on preachers marks a troubling evolution in the tactics of armed groups operating in northwestern Nigeria. Beyond ransom kidnappings and village raids, the alleged demand signals an attempt to assert territorial and ideological control over local populations.
Security analysts note that such levies, if enforced, could amount to a form of parallel governance — where armed groups tax communities to legitimise their dominance. By targeting religious leaders, the perpetrators may be attempting to intimidate influential voices capable of mobilising resistance or shaping public opinion.
In rural communities like Utouno, clerics play significant social and moral roles. Any restriction on their activities risks undermining communal cohesion at a time when fear is already widespread.
Government Response
The Kebbi State Government confirmed awareness of the threat. The state’s spokesman said Governor Nasir Idris has directed the Commissioner of Police to reinforce security deployment in Ngaski and surrounding areas.
According to the spokesman, additional personnel have already been dispatched to forestall possible attacks and reassure residents.
Security presence has reportedly increased in Utouno and neighbouring communities, with patrols intensified and checkpoints mounted along key access routes.
Officials insist there is “no cause for panic,” maintaining that proactive measures are in place to prevent a repeat of the violence witnessed in Arewa South.
A Region Under Pressure
Northwestern Nigeria has witnessed persistent insecurity driven by armed groups often described locally as bandits. These groups have engaged in mass abductions, village raids, extortion, and violent confrontations with security forces.
The recent killings in Kangiwa underscore the scale of the challenge facing rural communities, where vast terrains and limited infrastructure complicate rapid response operations.
For residents of Utouno, the ₦100 million demand represents more than a financial threat; it symbolizes vulnerability. Many villagers fear that failure to comply could invite retaliatory violence, while compliance could embolden further extortion.
As security agencies intensify surveillance in the area, the coming days will test the state’s ability to deter escalation.
For now, Utouno remains tense but watchful — hoping that the presence of armed patrols will be enough to keep the threat at bay.
