Fear grips Zamfara villages as bandits demand N16m or face attacks

Residents of three villages in Zamfara State are living in fear after armed bandits imposed a total levy of N16 million, giving communities a six-day ultimatum to comply or face violent reprisals.

Sources say the affected villages — Gidan Saro, Maje, and Fanda Haki in Kekun Waje District of Bungudu Local Government Area — received the demands from an armed group reportedly led by kingpin Sojan Zakui on March 31.

According to reports, the bandits set individual contributions at N5 million for Gidan Saro, N6 million for Maje, and N5 million for Fanda Haki, totaling N16 million. The threat was reinforced through messages delivered by an associate identified as Hamidu, who warned that non-payment within the six-day window would trigger attacks.

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The ultimatum has left residents terrified, with some reportedly making contingency plans to flee their homes to avoid potential violence. Community members are reportedly struggling to raise the demanded sums, heightening concerns about safety and the risk of displacement.

Security analysts warn that such levies — often used by criminal groups to assert control and generate revenue — continue to fuel insecurity in parts of northwestern Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State, where banditry has become endemic.

Authorities have yet to issue an official response, and residents continue to live under the looming threat of armed attacks.