There have been reports of gunmen in Zamfara State charging 25 villages in the Tsafe West region N172.7 million, forcing hundreds of inhabitants to flee their homes for fear of violent retaliation.
Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency journal that focuses on the Lake Chad region, reported that the gunmen, who are reportedly led by infamous bandit boss Danisuhu, have also asked the impacted towns for in-kind donations like bags of soybeans.
Gijinzama (N8.5 million), Dakolo (N5 million and 20 bags of soybeans), Gunja (N7 million), Kauyen Kane (N5 million), Kurar Mota (N6 million), and other villages are among the targeted, along with the corresponding levies. While Sungawa and Rakyabu each face demands of N15 million, Kunchin Kalgo was subject to the highest charge of N20 million.
“These levies are accompanied by threats of violence against those who fail to comply,” the report stated.
“Hundreds of residents have abandoned their homes, farmlands, and livelihoods, fearing brutal attacks by the bandits.”
The report cited a local source who detailed the terrible circumstances the locals were in.
The source claimed that when locals are unable to pay these taxes, bandits frequently launch vicious attacks, forcing them to leave.
Although Tsafe town and the Funtua-Tsafe axis have seen improvements in security, the report pointed out that Tsafe West’s rural settlements have not yet benefited from these developments.
The article also stated that locals are now requesting immediate government action.
