Katsina Residents Panic as Bandits Demand Livestock

In Katsina State, residents of Kankia Local Government Area are facing severe panic as bandits have issued a six-day ultimatum demanding 700 cattle and 1,000 sheep. This demand, communicated through a letter delivered to the community, has forced many residents to flee their homes due to fears of imminent attacks.

The ultimatum follows a month of harassment and abductions by an armed group led by a notorious bandit identified as Muhammadu. The group has been moving freely on motorcycles and has previously rustled a large number of animals.

Local leaders, including Abdurrahman Abdullahi, chairman of a civil society organization, have expressed concerns over the worsening insecurity and the government's inability to address the crisis effectively. The Director General of Media for the Katsina State Governor, Maiwada Dammalla, cautioned that the letter from the bandits was intended to create panic and was not officially acknowledged.

Despite assurances from the government, tension remains high, and many residents are uncertain about returning home.