‘Pay or be attacked’: New terrorist group ‘Sai Mallam’ imposes N5m levy on Kebbi communities

A newly emerged terrorist group known as ‘Sai Mallam’ has imposed monthly levies of N5 million on at least 10 rural communities in Kebbi State, threatening to seize residents’ farmlands and launch attacks if the demands are not met.

According to multiple sources who spoke with SaharaReporters on Friday, the extremist group has entrenched itself in parts of Argungu and Zuru emirates after quietly relocating to Kebbi during the first quarter of 2026.

The affected communities in Argungu include Alwasa, Danba, Sarkin Gobir, Unwara and Zazzagawa, while those in Zuru include Zodi, Tadurga, Senchi, Ciroman and Dabai.

Residents said the terrorists had summoned community leaders and demanded N5 million every month from the affected villages, warning that failure to comply would attract violent attacks and the confiscation of farmlands.

“They have told our people that every month they must produce N5 million. They said if we fail to pay, they will take over our farmlands and attack our communities,” a community source told SaharaReporters.