Gunmen, allegedly led by a notorious bandit leader, Danisuhu, have reportedly imposed a N172.7 million levy on 25 villages in the Tsafe West Local Government 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 (N8.5 million), Dakolo (N5 million + 20 bags of soybeans), Gunja (N7 million), Kauyen Kane (N5 million), Kurar Mota (N6 million), Sabon Garin Bakin Gulbi (N2.5 million), Kibari (N3 million), Karda (N5 million), Daga Ciki (N3 million), Biya (N5 million), Barebari (N6 million), Kauyen Magaji (N7 million), Kwaren Maisaje (N10 million), Magazawa (N10 million), Maciya (N5 million), and Unguwar Danhalima (N5 million).
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Others are Unguwar Rogo (N5 million), Katanga (N5 million), Magazu (N5 million), Sungawa (N15 million), Rakyabu (N15 million), Yalwa (N2.7 million), Tsageru (N5 million), Gidan Anne (N7 million), and Kunchin Kalgo (N20 million).
“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 report reads.
Makama quoted a local source as describing the situation as dire.
“The inability to pay these levies often results in brutal attacks by the bandits, leaving the residents with no option but to flee,” the source said.
“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 report added that residents have called for more security personnel and permanent posts in Tsafe west, alongside emergency relief for displaced residents.
