Bandits operating in the forest linking Zamfara and Katsina States have imposed levies on 13 communities in Tsafe local government area of Zamfara state.
Checks made by 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE showed that the communities involved are from Keta and Tsafe wards. While Keta has eight affected communities, Tsafe has five.
Bandits operating mostly in the northwest and north central Nigeria have inflicted hardship on people of the affected states. Women have been raped, others displaced with hundred of people killed and villages burnt down by the terrorists.
Governors in the affected states have taken some security measures with the hope of containing the menace.
Affected communities
Magazawa N3m, Kauyen Kane N6m, Rakyabu N1.1m, Sungawa N1.1m, Yelwa N.8m, Nasarawa N3.1m, Kwankwado N1m, Dogon Daji N1m, Gwaranyo N.5m, Ware N150,000, Yar Tsakuwa N200,000 and Maidagalo N500,000.
Communities were taxed base on number of wealthy individuals and strength of farming communities.
Sama’ila Tsafe, a native of the area, who is also a youth advocate told 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE that people of the area have lost faith in government.
“The most painful part of it is that even when they pay the money, the bandits told them they have to liase with them before harvesting their farm produce. Add to that, they still need something (a part of the produce) from the farmers,” he lamented.
He noted that the bandits sent letters to the respective villagers, notifying them of what they’re expected to pay.
Garba Bala, a medical health worker in Tsafe, said Nasarawa village has paid their levies to the tune of N3.5m.
“They have paid. I was told that another village in Keta ward has also paid. This goes to show you that the villagers have taken a stand to abide by the bandits’ demand because the government can’t protect them. These villages that you mentioned, wallahi, all of them are under Keta town and no community in that place is safe.”
Bandits to attack defaulting villages
Mr Tsafe however said defaulting villages like Sungawa, Gidan Anne, Yelwa, Rugarmanu, Gidan Isuhu and others have been told to prepare for attacks.
He added that it has become a rule for the bandits to attack defaulting villages in situation like this.
Mr Bala said the bandits went to Nasarawa to collect the N3.5m.
“They sent representatives to the village with their motorcycles were they collected the money, waited there and counted everything before they eventually left. It’s surprising that no security agent could do anything even when the bandits spent time counting the money,” he said.
The Zamfara state police spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu, promised to check the “rumour” and revert back but didn’t do so.
