Fresh fears have gripped residents of several communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State following reports that armed bandits have imposed new levies on villages and temporarily halted farming activities ahead of the rainy season.
Findings revealed that at least 26 communities are affected by the directive, with residents allegedly ordered to stay away from their farmlands until specified payments are made to the criminal groups.
As reported by Daily Trust, locals told our correspondent that the bandits issued a three-day warning, threatening severe punishment for anyone found cultivating land before the communities complied with their demands.
Among the affected settlements are Garin Faji, Zululu, Cina Barka, Dan Gari, Gardi, Katsira, Sulmawa, Garje, Zango, Rambadawa, Nasarawa, Garin Idi and several others spread across the troubled local government area.
A community source disclosed that the armed groups warned residents that defiance of the order could result in abduction or death.
According to the source, villagers have already begun contributing money in an effort to meet the demands and avert further attacks.
One resident of Zululu, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, said preparations for the farming season were abruptly disrupted after information about the bandits' directive circulated across the communities.
He explained that the gunmen justified the levy by accusing security agencies of targeting their livestock, insisting that farming would remain suspended until the required payments were made.
The resident added that traditional rulers and religious leaders were expected to engage representatives of the armed groups to negotiate the amount each community would contribute.
He lamented that the collection of levies had become a recurring burden on residents, saying villagers were often compelled to make payments at different stages of the farming cycle.
"These payments are not new to us. We are usually forced to contribute before planting, and sometimes additional demands come before harvest. The amounts run into millions of naira and everyone is expected to contribute according to their capacity," he said.
Another indigene of Garin Idi community alleged that delays in meeting previous demands had triggered a recent attack on the village.
The source claimed that about 20 residents were abducted during the incident and were later released after community leaders reportedly raised and paid money demanded by the kidnappers.
Reacting to the development, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the command had not received any official report regarding the alleged levies.
He, however, noted that affected communities often fail to report such incidents to security agencies.
Attempts to obtain comments from the Sokoto State Government were unsuccessful, as officials contacted on the matter had yet to respond as of the time this report was filed.
(Daily Trust)
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