Bandits kill 2 Kaduna farmers, injure others over unpaid levy

Two farmers were shot dead and several others injured during an attack by people suspected to be bandits on farms at Shiwaka, Unguwan Bagudu, and Sabonlayi areas in the western part of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The attack occurred yesterday around 11:30am when most locals were already working in their farms.

Those killed have been identified as Alhaji Yahaya Shuwaka and Fadaman Gaude.

A resident said the casualty could be more because some people who fled into the bushes were still missing.

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Residents of the area revealed that the attack was a result of the villagers’ failure to meet the deadline for payment of the levy imposed on them by the bandits.

Ishag Kasai, Chairman of Birnin Gwari Progressive Emirate Union (BEPU), who confirmed the attack, said it was part of a series of assaults on farmers following the expiration of the deadline.

He said, “As you may recall, bandits imposed a N10 million levy on farmers in this area with the deadline expiring last week Tuesday. Since the deadline expired, the bandits have continued to attack locals on their farms and in their residences.

“We are still appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The people in our community are ready to assist in dealing with this menace. The problem is that, based on past experiences, even if the levy is paid, the bandits will never stop their attacks on innocent locals.”

Daily Trust reports that Birnin-Gwari had been attacked twice by bandits within one week.

The state government has yet to issue a statement on the incident while calls to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Jalige Mohammed, were also not answered.