Residents of Sabon Birni local government area of Sokoto state have resorted to prayers over persistent attacks by bandits.
A member, representing the area at the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Almustapha Boza, said almost all the 11 wards in the area were under bandits’ control.
Boza said bandits had imposed village heads in some of the communities, including Gangara and Makwaruwa, adding that the marauders were now operating in broad daylight without any fear.
“In the past, they only operate in the night but now they operate at any time and even give out their numbers to the communities they taxed,” he said
Boza said 79 communities were so far taxed by the bandits and some had already paid the levies imposed on them.
“Just a few days ago, they went to a village called Baushe, sat with the village head and the counselor, representing the area that they were not in the village to kill them but to demand N5 million from the day and they must pay within one week,” he said.
“They are still trying to raise the money because the bandits have left a phone number with which to be reached when the money is ready. There are five gangs of bandits in the area with the main group, camping at Sakiru.
“Our problem is that one group can come and impose a levy on your community and after paying the levy, another group will come with their own demand,” he added.
Boza said there was no presence of security forces in the whole Sabon Birni area, but in the state headquarters.
