A gang of bandits have halted farming activities across 26 communities in Sokoto State, forcing residents to raise money to meet fresh levies imposed by the armed groups before they can return to their farmlands.
The terrorists were said to have warned that any resident in the communities found cultivating their land before meeting on the levies would face severe consequences, including abduction or death, causing massive unrest in the area.
The insurgents made the request at the Garin Faji, Cina Barka, Zululu, Dan Gari, Garin Maigayya, Gardi, Katsira, Garin Baushe, Sulmawa, Zakin Ganga, Dan Kware, Garje, Dogon Faru, Son Allah, Garin Galadima, Kafchi, Matabaya, Garin Labo, Zango, Kaifin Aska, Tsauna Dogo, Tudun Wada, Rambadawa, Ga Itace, Nasarawa and Garin Idi areas at the Sabon Birni Local Government Area, a region that has repeatedly experienced attacks, kidnappings and extortion.
According to community sources on Monday, villagers have begun contributing funds to satisfy the demands after the armed groups issued a three-day ultimatum and added, “They made it clear that no one should step onto any farmland until the money is paid,” a resident familiar with the situation said.
“People are afraid because the warning was accompanied by threats of kidnapping and violence.”
One resident said the armed groups had informed villagers that anyone who ignored the directive and proceeded to farm risked being abducted and compelled to pay a ransom before regaining freedom, claiming that traditional rulers and religious leaders were expected to engage the bandits to negotiate the amount each community would contribute before farming activities could resume.
Community members also alleged that the payments have become a recurring burden, and the incident, been happening for years. They added that after paying one levy, another demand may come a few months later, forcing the farmers left with no option but to contribute whatever they can.
The inhabitants further claimed that individual communities are typically asked to raise between N4 million and N6 million, with contributions collected from households and farmers based on their financial capacity, also disclosing that the armed groups routinely demand a share of harvested crops from farmers before allowing them to store produce.
Meanwhile, reacting to the claims, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufai, said that the command had not received information about the development, mentioning that in many cases, affected communities do not formally report these incidents to security agencies.”
Efforts to obtain comments from the Sokoto State Government were unsuccessful, as officials contacted on the matter had not responded at the time of filing this report.