Gunmen impose N172m levy on Zamfara villages

Gunmen allegedly led by a notorious bandit leader, Danisuhu have reportedly imposed a levy of N172.7 million on 25 villages in the Tsafe west area of Zamfara state.

According to counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, in a post on his official X account on Monday, the levies were accompanied by demands for in-kind contributions, including bags of soyabeans and threats of violence against those who fail to comply.

Makama said these threats have prompted many residents to flee their homes, with several villages in the area now deserted, leaving behind ghost settlements.

The security analyst in a breakdown of the levies for each village wrote: The targeted villages and their respective levies include:Gijinzama: ₦8.5M, Dakolo: ₦5M + 20 bags of soybeans, Gunja: ₦7M, Kauyen Kane: ₦5M, Kurar Mota: ₦6M, Sabon Garin Bakin Gulbi: ₦2.5M, Kibari: ₦3M, Karda: ₦5M, Daga Ciki: ₦3M, Biya: ₦5M, Barebari: ₦6M, Kauyen Magaji: ₦7M, Kwaren Maisaje: ₦10M, Magazawa: ₦10M, Maciya: ₦5M, Unguwar Danhalima: ₦5M, Unguwar Rogo: ₦5M, Katanga: ₦5M, Magazu: ₦5M, Sungawa: ₦15M, Rakyabu: ₦15M, Yalwa: ₦2.7M, Tsageru: ₦5M, Gidan Anne: ₦7M, Kunchin Kalgo: ₦20M

Hundreds of residents of these villages have reportedly abandoned their homes, farmland, and livelihoods in fear of violent reprisals for failing to meet the demands.

“The situation is dire,” a local source revealed. “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.

The people have appealed for urgent intervention of the Nigerian authorities to deploy more security personnel and establishing permanent posts in Tsafe West.

He said that urgent support of emergency relief is required for the displaced residents.