Wonders shall indeed never end.
Forgive us, we really wish there was another way to begin this story.
Breaking this news to you already saddens our hearts.
Special pity for our brothers and sisters in Zamfara State.
If anyone in Zamfara was ever told that a day will come when they would start paying levies to terrorists, they wouldn’t have believed it.
But right before their very eyes, it happened.
As we speak, a levy of ₦172.7 million has been placed on 25 villages in that area.
Such confidence, but then again, what will anyone do about it?
Absolutely nothing.
Bandits are now becoming bolder.
As a matter of fact, this is not the first time terrorists are collecting levies.
The Demand
In the case of Zamfara, it is reported that the gunmen who imposed the levies, are allegedly led by a notorious bandit leader, Danisuhu.
According to counterinsurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, the levies were accompanied by demands.
The bandits demanded in-kind contributions, including bags of soybeans.
They promised to unleash terror on those who failed to comply.
The report added that these demands have forced hundreds of residents to abandon their homes and livelihoods.
Makama stated that the affected villages and their respective levies include:
Gijinzama (₦8.5 million), Dakolo (₦5 million + 20 bags of soybeans), Gunja (₦7 million), Kauyen Kane (₦5 million), Kurar Mota (₦6 million), Sabon Garin Bakin Gulbi (₦2.5 million), Kibari (₦3 million), Karda (₦5 million).
Also on the list are Daga Ciki (₦3 million), Biya (₦5 million), Barebari (₦6 million), Kauyen Magaji (₦7 million), Kwaren Maisaje (₦10 million), Magazawa (₦10 million), Maciya (₦5 million), and Unguwar Danhalima (₦5 million).
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Others are Unguwar Rogo (₦5 million), Katanga (₦5 million), Magazu (₦5 million), Sungawa (₦15 million), Rakyabu (₦15 million), Yalwa (₦2.7 million), Tsageru (₦5 million), Gidan Anne (₦7 million), and Kunchin Kalgo (₦20 million).
A local source who spoke with newsmen on the situation of things described the situation as dire.
The source said: “Hundreds of residents of these villages have reportedly abandoned their homes, farmlands, and livelihoods in fear of violent reprisals for failing to meet the demands.
“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.”
