Bandits impose N200m levy on Zamfara communities

Bandits have imposed about N200m levies on several communities in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, Daily Trust learnt.

Daily Trust gathered that most of the affected villages were located along Kaura Namoda-Moriki town in Zurmi Local Government Area.

The affected villages and the levies are Yan Dolen Kaura: N15 million; Gidan Zagi: N15 million; Kanwa Million: N20 million; Kaiwa Lamba: N26 million; Gidan Dan Zara: N22 million; Jinkirawa: N16 million; Dumfawa: N16 million; Ruguje: N7 million; Babani: N3 million and Gidan Duwa: N4 million.

The residents of the villages said they are under pressure to raise these funds within a specified period.

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It was gathered that some villages have already paid their levies, while others are scrambling to gather the required amounts.

This situation, sources said, has forced villagers to seek menial jobs in nearby towns to raise the necessary funds, reflecting a desperate effort to comply with the bandits’ demands.

A resident of Zurmi town, Malam Yunusa Musa, told Daily Trust that the levies are effective from this week.

“The most unfortunate thing is that the residents of Turawa have paid N15m but their relatives have not been released by the bandits. Several villages whose levies are between N26m to N3m have already paid the money,” he said.

Another resident, Malam Haruna Ilu, said residents of some of the affected villages have started trooping to urban towns and cities in search of menial jobs to raise the funds.

He said the issue has escalated to the point where some residents fear for their safety, prompting calls for an increased security presence in the affected areas.

He said recently, soldiers deployed to Zurmi town intervened by chasing away bandits who had followed residents into neighbouring villages, firing sporadically.

Ilu, therefore, appealed to the government for urgent assistance, requesting enhanced security measures to safeguard their lives and properties from the ongoing threats posed by banditry and extortion in Zamfara State.