Bandits Impose ?172.7 Million Levy on 25 Villages in Tsafe West, Zamfara

Armed bandits operating under the leadership of a notorious kingpin known as Danisuhu have imposed a massive levy totaling ?172,700,000 on 25 villages in Tsafe West, Zamfara State, plunging the rural communities into further insecurity and economic hardship.

Intelligence sources disclosed that 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. 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.