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Claim: An X user, Bakatsine, claimed that bandits demanded a N40 million levy from residents of Kebbe town in Sokoto State, threatening to kill residents and burn the community if the money is not paid.
Verdict: True. The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that bandits demanded the N40 million levy from the community, and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit is actively responding to the threat.
Full Text
On Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, an X user, Bakatsine (@DanKatsina50), shared a post alleging that residents of Kebbe town, headquarters of Kebbe Local Government Area in Sokoto State, were facing an ultimatum from suspected bandits to raise a N40 million levy or risk an attack.
Part of the caption reads, “BREAKING: Yesterday afternoon, bandits demanded a 40 million levy from residents of Kebbe town in Kebbe LGA, Sokoto State, threatening to kill residents and burn the town if the money is not paid. Local sources said the bandits sent a phone call through a farmer to the District Head of Kebbe and initially gave the community five days to meet the demand. After pleas, they reportedly extended the deadline to seven days (next Tuesday).”
The X user added that the bandits warned that the phone must remain charged and accessible so they could coordinate the payment.
As of Sept. 3, 2026, the post has generated 39,600 views, 87 reposts and 22 replies on X.
The post triggered reactions across the platform.
An X user, Skyler Sympson, wrote, “And yet people who are suffering under these bandits will still vote for Tinubu and APC, who failed to save them from these bandits.”
Another commenter, Joseph Isibor, said, “No responsible elderly men in the north. All of them have chickened out and have been captured by the small small boys terrorists they encouraged at the initial stage.”
Expressing distress over the situation, YarimaAhmed posted: “This is happening like a movie; may Allah bring relief.”
Given the gravity of the threat and the security vulnerabilities in the area, DUBAWA verified the claim.
Verification
DUBAWA contacted the Sokoto State Police Command to verify the reported extortion demand.
The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed that security authorities received intelligence on the extortion attempt and deployed operational assets to address it.
“We are aware of the information, and we, together with our Anti-Kidnapping Units (AKU), are already working on the information,” Rufa’i stated.
While confirming the extortion demand of N40 million, the police spokesperson noted a slight variation in the timeline, indicating that the suspected bandits gave the community an ultimatum to produce the funds by Sunday.
Efforts to reach the District Head of Kebbe, Mallam Lawal Labbo, proved unsuccessful, as phone calls to his line went unanswered at the time of publication.
Kebbe Local Government Area has faced repeated security challenges in recent weeks, including armed incursions that claimed civilian lives and targeted security patrols.
Conclusion
The claim that suspected bandits demanded N40 million from residents of Kebbe, Sokoto State, and issued an ultimatum is true. The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the report.
This fact-check is produced under the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) Northwest ONSIT Fellowship with support from the European Union.