- Bandits have reportedly issued a formal threat to residents of the Sukuntuni community in Kankiya Local Government Area, demanding a ransom of 700 cows and 1,000 sheep to prevent an imminent invasion.
- The threat has triggered a large-scale evacuation of villagers across several communities, including Kankiya, Musawa, Chuga, and Matazu, as residents seek safety ahead of a Friday deadline.
- The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to intervene immediately, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis facing Muslim communities in the North.
Residents of several communities in Katsina State have begun a desperate exodus following a chilling ultimatum from terror groups operating in the region.
Eko Hot Blog reports that according to a statement released on Thursday, April 9, 2026, by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), bandits sent a letter to the Sukuntuni community in Kankiya Local Government Area on Monday, demanding an enormous quantity of livestock.
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The group reportedly ordered the delivery of 700 cows and 1,000 sheep by Friday, April 10, or the residents would face a violent assault.
This direct threat has sent shockwaves through the area, forcing hundreds of families to abandon their ancestral homes in a bid to escape potential bloodshed.
Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC, expressed deep concern over the development, noting that a video clip in the group’s possession shows a massive number of Muslims fleeing their villages.
The panic has spread beyond Sukuntuni, affecting a stretch of territory reaching into Musawa, Chuga, and Matazu.
Akintola described the scene as one of profound grief, with hundreds of women and children seen trekking along desolate roads with no clear destination.
The group highlighted that these residents, predominantly Muslims, are the primary victims of this latest wave of extortion and terror, dispelling narratives that suggest violence in the region is targeted at any single faith.
The advocacy group issued a direct challenge to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Defence, urging them to prioritize the security of vulnerable communities in Katsina, Sokoto, Borno, and Zamfara.
MURIC emphasized that while the administration has inherited the assets of the state, it must also take full responsibility for its liabilities, including the protection of lives and property.
The statement noted that the “rivers of blood” flowing through various states indicate a breakdown of security that requires more than just political rhetoric to resolve.
The group called for the immediate deployment of security personnel to Sukuntuni and surrounding areas to restore confidence and prevent the bandits from carrying out their Friday threat.
As the deadline approaches, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. The mass displacement adds to an already significant number of orphans and widows in Northern Nigeria, as highlighted by MURIC.
The organization’s appeal underscores a growing sense of frustration with the pace of security interventions, pointing out that mosques and schools are frequently targeted by criminals looking for large crowds to exploit.
For the fleeing residents of Kankiya, the hope remains that the government will act before the sun sets on Friday, providing the necessary defense to allow them to return to their homes in peace.
