Fear has gripped the residents of Bakale village in Sokoto State following a chilling ultimatum from armed bandits. The criminals are demanding a hefty sum of twenty million naira from the community, warning that failure to pay will result in a deadly attack.
Audio Message Delivers Chilling Ultimatum
According to reports, the threat was delivered via an audio message. In the recording, which was obtained by Daily Trust, the leader of the armed group directly addressed the village head. The bandit commander questioned the traditional ruler about a previous message and then instructed him to gather all residents to hear the new demand.
The voice on the tape claimed the N20 million levy was intended to prevent violence. The speaker asserted that the group wished to avoid bloodshed and promised the community's safety upon payment. However, a stark warning followed: refusal to pay would lead to widespread killings and abductions.
Widespread Threats Across Multiple Districts
A senior member of the community confirmed that Bakale is not alone in facing this terror. He revealed that several villages across both the Kilgori and Torankawa districts have received similar threats. The demanded amounts vary significantly, ranging from three million to twenty million naira.
The source listed several villages identified by the armed groups, including Bazar, Alkalije, Gari, Dagel, Adarawa, and Tudu. He also disclosed a grim reminder of the bandits' capacity for violence, confirming that at least ten villagers were killed in recent attacks on the communities of Alkalije and Tile.
Authorities Yet to Respond
The escalating situation has left locals in a state of panic, caught between the impossibility of raising such huge sums and the fear of brutal reprisals. Efforts to get an official response from the Sokoto State Police Command proved unsuccessful. Calls placed to the command's spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufa'i, were not answered at the time of reporting.
This incident highlights the persistent security challenges plaguing many northern communities, where residents are increasingly forced to negotiate their safety with criminal gangs. The silence from security forces adds to the growing anxiety among villagers who feel abandoned and vulnerable.
