UTONO — Tension has gripped Utono community in Kebbi State’s Ngaski Local Government Areafollowing the delivery of a threatening letter, allegedly from suspected terrorists, demanding ₦100 million before they would be allowed to enter the town to “preach.”
The letter, reportedly handed to community leaders in the early hours of Thursday, February 19, 2026, warned residents not to take the message lightly.
“This is not a joke. We are coming to preach. You must pay us ₦100 million. 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 letter read.
The group cited a previous attack on Woru community in Kwara State’s Kiama Local Government Area, where several people were reportedly killed after similar threats were ignored.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the letter has left residents in 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.
Confirming the letter’s authenticity, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, told The PUNCH on Thursday evening that the state government had taken swift action to prevent any potential attack.
“I just spoke with the Director of Security; he confirmed the information and said security has been deployed to the area. The government, alongside security agencies, has deployed security to the area, including air surveillance,” Idris said.
“His Excellency (the state governor) has been hands-on regarding security matters, and this will not be an exception.”
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as security operatives remain on high alert in Utono and surrounding communities.