Fear and tension have gripped Utono community in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State following a letter allegedly sent by suspected terrorists demanding N100 million before they would be allowed to enter the town to “preach.”
In the letter reportedly delivered to community leaders in the early hours of Thursday, February 19, 2026, the terrorists warned residents not to treat the message lightly.
“This is not a joke. We are coming to preach. You must pay us N100 million,” the letter read.
“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 group also referenced a previous attack on Woru community in Kiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where several people were reportedly killed after a similar warning was ignored.
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. Many families are already discussing safety plans in case anything happens,” the source said.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, confirmed the authenticity of the letter, to punch on Thursday evening, saying that 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,” Idris said.
“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 (the state governor) has been up and doing on security matters, and this will not be an exception.”
