Bandits levy N10m on villages, residents to contribute N13k each

Bandits operating in Zurmi Local Government Area, Zamfara, have allegedly levied N10 million on some communities under their control.

According to a special report by BBC Hausa Service on Thursday, the bandits demanded the money after a reconciliation meeting held between the people of the communities and the representatives of the bandits’ group in a community at the neighbouring Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state.

A source hinted that the bandits sought a reconciliation meeting with the people of Yanbuki and its neighbouring communities in Zurmi and the communities accepted to end the constant threat and intimidation by the armed bandits.

More than 35 travellers were kidnapped recently in the area.

The BBC Hausa Service said that the reconciliation meeting took place at a village called “Kuryar Kware” and was attended by the majority of the residents of Yanbuki, and its neighbouring communities.

“After realizing that all effort to get the government and security agencies to secure the axis failed we had no option than to accept the reconciliation meeting, and they have demanded the payment of N10 million fine for peace to reign,” the source said.

Yanbuki, Tsaka, Maduba, Askawa, Ganda Samu, Dillin Fulani and Kafan Dutsi were among villages which participated in the reconciliation meeting and accepted to pay.

According to the BBC Hausa Service, the bandits demanded that the residents of Yanbuki village should pay for the ransom of the 68 persons that were kidnapped frоm the village.

“On this particular issue of payment of ransom, even the communities members and the bandits held meeting again on Wednesday but could not reach an agreement,” it said.

However, a man from the village who refused to mention his name for security reasons said he was asked to pay his N13,000 as part of the contribution levied on every resident of Yanbuki village, saying that the neighbouring community is to pay for onward transmission to the bandits.

But the state Commissioner of Information, Hon. Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, said the state government was not aware that a fine was imposed on the people of Yanbuki community but assured that he would investigate the substance of the claim.