Bandits impose N60m levy on 12 communities for aiding military in Zamfara

By John Ogunsemore

Bandits have imposed a N60 million levy on 12 communities in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara Stare for collaborating with the military.

Security analyst, Bakatsine disclosed this in an X post on Monday.

The affected communities include Koloma, Dan Hayin Zargado, Zargado, Dan Godabe, Sabuwar Tunga, Makini, Bubaka, Yelwa, Bahwada, Koda, Manya and Kabusu.

The communities were targeted for allegedly aiding military raids.

The analyst said residents are panicky, fearing their communities could be attacked by the bandits for non-compliance.

“Bandits have imposed a N60m levy on 12 Zamfara communities: Koloma, Dan Hayin Zargado, Zargado, Dan Godabe, Sabuwar Tunga, Makini, Bubaka, Yelwa, Bahwada, Koda, Manya & Kabusu for allegedly aiding military raids. Residents fear attacks if they don’t pay,” Bakatsine said.

The development follows last week’s military action on terrorists’ hideouts in the Dan Kurmi forest, which left many terrorists dead.

A traditional ruler in Dan Kurmi, Sani Usman, told BBC Hausa that the terrorists also said they were punishing the residents for burning forests in their hideout.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Zamfara, Abubakar Sadiq, has not confirmed the development.

However, it is not uncommon for bandits to impose levies on communities in Zamfara and neighbouring states.

In recent weeks, bandits ordered communities in the Danmusa area of Katsina – Gurza, Kurechin Giye, and Kulawu – to pay N1.5 million levy.

Reports say the communities complied to avoid being attacked.