Panic grips Kankia communities as residents flee en masse after terror group’s four-day deadline sparks fresh security fears

Armed bandits have issued a chilling ultimatum to three communities in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State, demanding 700 cows and 1,000 sheep or face imminent attacks.

The threat, delivered through letters to Rimaye and Sukunturi on April 6, gave residents just four days to comply, setting an April 10 deadline that has since triggered widespread fear and displacement.

According to locals, the identical letters sparked panic across several villages, including Kunduru, Sukunturi, Tsa, and Magam, forcing residents to abandon their homes in search of safety.

Malam Ahmadu Kankia, a resident of the area, described the situation as dire, noting that entire communities have been emptied. He said fear spread rapidly after the letters were received, leaving villagers with no option but to flee.

“Separate letters were delivered, but the message was the same. They demanded 700 cows and 1,000 sheep within four days. People became terrified and started leaving immediately. As we speak, those communities are completely deserted,” he said.

Another resident, Usman Dada, revealed that the letters were written in English and confirmed that most residents had relocated to safer areas within Kankia to avoid potential attacks.

In the days following the threat, some villagers cautiously returned in small groups during daylight hours to retrieve their remaining livestock. The animals were quickly moved and sold at nearby markets, as residents feared attacks typically occur at dawn or dusk.

A community source confirmed that the villages now remain abandoned, with no residents willing to return under the current security threat.

The development comes amid a renewed wave of bandit attacks in Katsina State, raising concerns about the collapse of a fragile peace previously reached months ago. In response, the state government has convened an emergency security meeting with key stakeholders to address the escalating crisis.