Bandits kill 10 residents in Zamfara community for failing to pay ‘terror levy’

Damina, a notorious bandits kingpin, on Wednesday, carried out a heinous attack resulting in the deaths of 10 individuals in Kwanar Dutse, a community in Zamfara state.

The ruthless assault unfolded after the community failed to comply with Damina’s imposed levy of N20 million, initially demanded weeks ago.

Witnesses recounted the terror unleashed by Damina’s cohort as they stormed the community shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Speaking under anonymity for security concerns, a resident narrated the chilling sequence of events as the attackers swarmed the community following the evening Islamic prayer.

“We were sitting down outside a mosque when the terrorists drove into the community from all corners and started shooting indiscriminately. Some of our vigilantes tried to fight back but the terrorists have more weapons. I ran into my house and waited for my fate,” the resident, a community leader, told Premium Times.

The terrorists burnt down some shops and houses in the community during the attack, residents said.

The community leader said his cousin was one of those killed by the terrorists during the assault that lasted for hours.

Another resident of Dansadau town, who also asked not to be named for security reasons, said his house is filled with refugees from Kwanar Dutse.

“Residents of Malele, Ruwan Tofa, Mutunji and Kwana and most of the communities in the northern part (of Dansadau) are in a critical situation because they’ve become easy targets for the terrorists, especially those under Damina.

“They routinely impose huge levies running into millions of naira on the communities, and when they fail to pay, they descend and kill them like animals,” he said.