‘Pay or be killed’: Bandits impose N20m levy on Sokoto villagers

Bandits have imposed a N20 million levy on Bakale village in Kilgori district, Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, threatening deadly attacks if the payment is not made.

According to Daily Trust, the bandit leader instructed the village head to call a meeting with residents to communicate the demand. In an audio recording, the bandit questioned the traditional ruler about a previous directive.

“Did you meet with them? Did they agree to obey your command?” he asked.

After the village head confirmed, the bandit ordered him to inform the residents of the fresh N20 million levy. “We don’t want to attack you. That is why we imposed this levy. If you pay, you will live in peace. But if you refuse, we will attack, kill, and abduct your people. This is our message,” the bandit said.

A community leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that similar levies have been enforced on several neighbouring settlements. Affected villages across Kilgori and Torankawa districts include Bazar, Alkalije, Gari, Bakale, Dagel, Adarawa, Kwaidaza, Kilgori Runji, Tudu, Tile, Kibiyare, and Barmadu. Levies range from N3 million to N20 million, depending on the size of the community.

The source added that six people were killed in Alkalije and four in Tile during separate attacks two weeks ago. The Sokoto police command has not yet confirmed the development.

This is not the first time the bandits have imposed levies on communities in northwest Nigeria. In November, they demanded N20 million from farmers in Gatakawa, Katsina State, before allowing them to harvest crops.

Bakatsine, a conflict and crisis journalist covering insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest, who disclosed this, said the bandits demanded the levy from farmers before allowing them to harvest their crops.

He criticised the alleged peace deal between the bandits and communities in the crisis-ridden in the region, saying it has only brought deeper fear to farmers.

Similarly, in October, they imposed a N15 million levy on Bazar and nearby villages in Yabo.

Alhaji Dauda Umar, a resident, confirmed the recent demands. “It is true the bandits threatened to harm us if we don’t pay fifteen million naira. Arrangements to pay are underway,” he said.

Umar expressed frustration over repeated attacks and the bandits’ familiarity with the area. “We’ve reported this to the police, but we need more help. Our people are living in fear,” he said.

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