Gunmen allegedly led by a notorious bandit leader, Danisuhu have reportedly imposed a levy of N172.7 million on 25 villages in the Tsafe west area of Zamfara state.
According to counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, in a post on his official X account on Monday, the levies were accompanied by demands for in-kind contributions, including bags of soyabeans and threats of violence against those who fail to comply.
Makama said these threats have prompted many residents to flee their homes, with several villages in the area now deserted, leaving behind ghost settlements.
The security analyst in a breakdown of the levies for each village wrote: The targeted villages and their respective levies include:Gijinzama: โฆ8.5M, Dakolo: โฆ5M + 20 bags of soybeans, Gunja: โฆ7M, Kauyen Kane: โฆ5M, Kurar Mota: โฆ6M, Sabon Garin Bakin Gulbi: โฆ2.5M, Kibari: โฆ3M, Karda: โฆ5M, Daga Ciki: โฆ3M, Biya: โฆ5M, Barebari: โฆ6M, Kauyen Magaji: โฆ7M, Kwaren Maisaje: โฆ10M, Magazawa: โฆ10M, Maciya: โฆ5M, Unguwar Danhalima: โฆ5M, Unguwar Rogo: โฆ5M, Katanga: โฆ5M, Magazu: โฆ5M, Sungawa: โฆ15M, Rakyabu: โฆ15M, Yalwa: โฆ2.7M, Tsageru: โฆ5M, Gidan Anne: โฆ7M, Kunchin Kalgo: โฆ20M
Hundreds of residents of these villages have reportedly abandoned their homes, farmland, and livelihoods in fear of violent reprisals for failing to meet the demands.
โThe situation is dire,โ a local source revealed. โThe inability to pay these levies often results in brutal attacks by the bandits, leaving the residents with no option but to flee.โ
While security has improved along the Funtua-Tsafe axis and in Tsafe town, these gains have yet to extend to the rural villages of Tsafe West.
The people have appealed for urgent intervention of the Nigerian authorities to deploy more security personnel and establishing permanent posts in Tsafe West. He said that urgent support of emergency relief is required for the displaced residents. (Guardian)