Police warn against night grazing as bandits tax Kebbi community N100m in new threat letter

Police authorities in Kebbi State have issued a strong warning to herders and livestock owners to desist from grazing along international borders in the state or face the consequences. 

This warning followed a repelled attack by the Police at Maje border in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State when bandits believed to be Lakurawas reportedly aimed to attack a Customs post in the area before being repelled by security operatives.

Tribune Online learnt that attackers moved a herd of cattle at night, using it to conceal their approach, but the Police Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) operatives engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat, but not without destroying some security structures along the border routes.

In a related development, bandits wrote a letter to a remote community in Shanga LGA in the state informing the people to pay the sum of N100 million or face a dastardly attack if their demand is ignored, adding that what happened in Woro community of Kwara State would be child’s play.

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A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said the letter has thrown residents into panic.

“People are scared; the mention of what happened in Woru has made the threat more frightening as many families are already discussing safety plans in case anything happens,” the source said.

Confirming the authenticity of the letter, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, said the state government has swung into action to forestall any attack.

“I just spoke with the Director of Security; he confirmed the information and said security has been deployed to the area,” he stated.

He stated further that the government is not taking the threat lightly; the government, alongside security agencies, has deployed security to the area, including air surveillance.

“I am sure you know the state government is not playing with the security of the state. His Excellency has been up and doing on security matters, and this will not be an exception.”

Kebbi State, like several states in the North-West, has in recent years faced intermittent attacks by armed groups targeting remote communities for ransom and other criminal activities.

As of the time of filing this report, security presence has reportedly been reinforced around Utono and other neighbouring communities in Shanga LGA, while residents remain on high alert.