Bandits have imposed over 172m levies on several communities in Tsafe West LGA of Zamfara State.
The armed bandits operating under the leadership of a notorious kingpin known as Danisuhu imposed the levy totaling ₦172,700,000 on 25 villages in the local government area.
The levies, coupled with demands for in kind contributions like bags of soybeans, have been accompanied by threats of violence, prompting many residents to flee their homes.
NewsDay learnt that several villages in the area are now deserted, leaving behind ghost settlements.
Breakdown of Levies Per Village:
The targeted villages and their respective levies include:Gijinzama: ₦8.5M, Dakolo: ₦5M + 20 bags of soybeans, Gunja: ₦7M, Kauyen Kane: ₦5M, Kurar Mota: ₦6M, Sabon Garin Bakin Gulbi: ₦2.5M, Kibari: ₦3M, Karda: ₦5M, Daga Ciki: ₦3M, Biya: ₦5M, Barebari: ₦6M, Kauyen Magaji: ₦7M, Kwaren Maisaje: ₦10M, Magazawa: ₦10M, Maciya: ₦5M, Unguwar Danhalima: ₦5M, Unguwar Rogo: ₦5M, Katanga: ₦5M, Magazu: ₦5M, Sungawa: ₦15M, Rakyabu: ₦15M, Yalwa: ₦2.7M, Tsageru: ₦5M, Gidan Anne: ₦7M, Kunchin Kalgo: ₦20M
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.
“The situation is dire,” a local source revealed. “The inability to pay these levies often results in brutal attacks by the bandits, leaving the residents with no option but to flee.”
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.
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