Gunmen have reportedly imposed a N172.7 million levy on 25 villages in the Tsafe West Local Government Area of area of Zamfara State.
The gunmen are allegedly led by Danisuhu, a notorious bandit leader.
Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reports that the levies were accompanied by demands for in-kind contributions, including bags of soybeans and threats of violence against those who fail to comply.
The report added that these demands have forced hundreds of residents to abandon their homes and livelihoods.
Zagazola Makama stated that the targeted villages and their respective levies include Gijinzama (N8.5 million), Dakolo (N5 million + 20 bags of soybeans), Gunja (N7 million), Kauyen Kane (N5 million), Kurar Mota (N6 million), Sabon Garin Bakin Gulbi (N2.5 million), Kibari (N3 million), Karda (N5 million), Daga Ciki (N3 million), Biya (N5 million), Barebari (N6 million), Kauyen Magaji (N7 million), Kwaren Maisaje (N10 million), Magazawa (N10 million), Maciya (N5 million), and Unguwar Danhalima (N5 million).
Others are Unguwar Rogo (N5 million), Katanga (N5 million), Magazu (N5 million), Sungawa (N15 million), Rakyabu (N15 million), Yalwa (N2.7 million), Tsageru (N5 million), Gidan Anne (N7 million), and Kunchin Kalgo (N20 million).
“Hundreds of residents of these villages have reportedly abandoned their homes, farmlands, and livelihoods in fear of violent reprisals for failing to meet the demands”, the report reads.
Zagazola Makama quoted a local source as describing the situation as dire.
The source said: “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 report added that residents have called for more security personnel and permanent posts in Tsafe West, alongside emergency relief for displaced residents.
