By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Residents of several communities in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State have been thrown into panic after suspected bandits reportedly issued a six-day ultimatum demanding 700 cattle and 1,000 sheep.
The demand, said to have been communicated through a letter delivered to affected villages on Thursday, has forced many residents to flee their homes over fears of imminent attacks.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Saturday, said the ultimatum followed months of harassment and abductions allegedly carried out by armed groups operating in the area.
According to him, a notorious bandit leader identified as Muhammadu had earlier moved large numbers of rustled animals after a dispute with associates, before issuing what he described as a “tax” demand on local communities.
“There is someone called Muhammadu among the bandits who, after having a misunderstanding with his partners, came with about 200 motorcycles and moved around 1,700 animals he had gathered, staying with them in Rimaye town,” he said.
“Two days after that, he requested the same number of animals from us as tax that we must pay… and wrote a letter to Sukuntuni town stating that it is by force to pay within six days, and if not, he will attack the whole town,” he added.
The resident said the threat has triggered widespread fear across communities including Sukuntuni, Unguwar Tsamiya, Magama, Walawa and Tudun Wulli, with reports of armed men moving freely on motorcycles.
“The situation has forced people to flee. Some have relocated to Rimaye, others to parts of Kano State, while some moved to Katsina town. About 10 villages are now deserted,” he said.
He also recalled previous attacks in the area, including an incident in Sayaya where a hospital was burnt, a policeman and residents were killed, and vehicles destroyed.
Meanwhile, concerns have grown over the effectiveness of past negotiations between communities and armed groups, which residents say previously brought only temporary relief.
The Chairman of Civil Society Organisations in Katsina State, Abdurrahman Abdullahi, blamed the worsening insecurity on what he described as the government’s inability to decisively address the crisis.
“All this is happening because of the government’s inability to fight insecurity. If nothing is done, this will continue indefinitely,” he said.
He added that earlier community-led negotiations had offered some respite but were no longer effective.
“Recently, local governments and communities tried their best to negotiate with the bandits, and that brought some level of security… but that negotiation is no longer working,” he said.
However, the Director General of Media to the Katsina State Governor, Maiwada Dammalla, said authorities are investigating the development and cautioned that the letter may have been intended to create panic.
“The letter has not been officially acknowledged by any authority. It could have been written to create fear among the people. The government is working tirelessly to protect lives and property,” he said.
Despite official assurances, tension remains high in the affected areas as many displaced residents remain uncertain about returning home.
The Punch