Residents across Zamfara State have paid over N500 million to various armed bandit groups since January 2025.
The payments are being extorted under threats of abduction, violence, and death, plunging many communities into fear, financial ruin, and displacement.
The levies — often imposed in cash and agricultural produce — are demanded in exchange for the “right” to remain in their ancestral homes.
In several communities, Daily Trust reports that kidnappings have already begun ahead of payment deadlines, reinforcing the climate of terror.
In January alone, late bandit kingpin Isuhu Yellow reportedly extorted N172.7 million from 25 villages, demanding both cash and food. Villages like Gijinzama, Dakolo, Kibari, Kunchin Kalgo, Sungawa, and Yalwa were among those targeted, with levies ranging from N2.7 million to N20 million per village.
Shortly after, another notorious leader, Dogo Gide, imposed N100 million in levies on 23 communities in Tsafe Local Government Area, leading to mass displacement. Some affected communities include Kunchin Kalgo, Sungawa, Rakyabu, and Kwaren Mai-Saje.
More recently, on Sunday, April 20, residents of Dankurmi village in Maru LGA were served a fresh demand of N60 million, with a deadline of just a few days. Yet even before the deadline expired, abductions had already begun.
According to former councillor Hon. Iliyasu Salisu Dankurmi, the extortion followed a military operation in the area. “The army raided the forest, and now the bandits are demanding compensation,” he told BBC Hausa. “They’ve threatened to make life unbearable if we don’t pay.”
The Village Head of Dankurmi, Alhaji Sani Usman, identified other affected areas: Manya, Kaboso, Yalwa, Bafadan Makini, Huda, Dargazo, Danhayan-Dargazo, and Koloma — all punished after a forest fire, allegedly started by locals, angered the bandits.
A resident of Kwalfada in Tsafe LGA, who requested anonymity, said the community has paid three separate levies in three months: N8 million, N7 million, and N4 million, respectively.
“Wallahi, we’re finished. There’s no one in this village with N20,000 in cash. We’ve sold everything,” he lamented. “The bandits even brought their stolen cows into our homes, and no one dares chase them out.”
From Dan Jibga, another resident, Muhammad Dogo, confirmed a N10 million levy imposed on Gama Lafiya, following the killing of two residents.
Other communities, including Unguwar Tofa (N26.6m), Makera (N15m), Sungawa (N20m), Rakyabu (N7m), Yalwa (N8m) and Kwarin Mai Saje (N11m) have also been targeted.
In Maru LGA, residents say road travel has become deadly. “After 4 p.m., you won’t find a driver from Talata Mafara to Maru. It’s a death trap,” said Malam Ibrahim Maru, who noted that bandits operate freely both day and night.
In Dansadau, villagers are abandoning homes and farms. “We’re being driven out,” said one local. “To return to Kabaro, we were told to pay N6 million, later raised to N10.5 million, plus N500,000 for recharge cards to contact the bandits.”
Another village near Dansadau had its N5 million levy negotiated to N3 million, only for the villagers to be robbed of phones and cash by a rival group on their return.
Over 300,000 hectares of farmland, or 60% of Dansadau’s arable land, have been abandoned. “This area once produced 40% of Zamfara’s food,” the source said. “Now, farmers are relocating to Gusau as labourers.”
He also accused security personnel of demanding bribes. “A 100km trip to Gusau now costs N5,000, because drivers must pay soldiers for escort.”
