Bandits Impose Fresh Levies on 26 Sokoto Communities, Suspend Farming Activities

Residents Forced to Raise Millions as Armed Groups Tighten Grip on Rural Communities

Residents of at least 26 communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State have reportedly begun contributing money to pay fresh levies imposed by bandits who have also barred them from accessing their farms ahead of the wet season farming activities.

According to residents who spoke to Daily Trust, the armed groups issued a three-day ultimatum, warning farmers not to visit their farmlands until the levies demanded from the affected communities were paid.

The affected communities include Garin Faji, Cina Barka, Zululu, Dan Gari, Garin Maigayya, Gardi, Katsira, Garin Baushe, Sulmawa, Zakin Ganga, Dan Kware, Garje, Dogon Faru, Son Allah, Garin Galadima, Kafchi, Matabaya, Garin Labo, Zango, Kaifin Aska, Tsauna Dogo, Tudun Wada, Rambadawa, Ga Itace, Nasarawa, and Garin Idi.

Threats Against Farmers

A resident familiar with developments in the affected villages disclosed that the bandits threatened to kill or abduct anyone found farming during the three-day period.

“The communities were given three days. They said nobody should go to the farms until the money is paid. Anyone caught farming would either be killed or kidnapped and would not regain freedom until a ransom of N500,000 is paid,” the source said.

He added that residents had already started contributing money to meet the demands.

A resident of Zululu village, who requested anonymity, said he was preparing to go to his farm when he learned about the directive.

“We were told that the bandits had banned farming activities for three days until the villages paid the levies they impose every year. They said they could have allowed people to go to their farms and then kill some and abduct others, but they wanted the money instead,” he explained.

According to him, the bandits claimed that security operatives had been seizing their livestock, prompting the suspension of farming activities until the levies were paid.

Traditional Leaders Expected to Negotiate

The resident revealed that traditional rulers and Islamic clerics from the affected communities were expected to meet with the bandits to determine how much each village would pay before farming activities could resume.

He noted that such payments had become a recurring burden on the communities.

“We pay before planting and sometimes every two or three months. Even after paying now, they may return in about three months and say nobody should harvest millet until another levy is paid,” he said.

According to him, the bandits typically demand between N4 million and N6 million from each community. Villagers contribute based on their financial capacity, with some households paying between N1,500 and N2,000, while farmers in certain communities contribute as much as N5,000 each.

Abduction of Villagers in Garin Idi

Another source from Garin Idi village, currently residing in Sabon Birni town, confirmed that residents had begun raising money to pay the levies.

He alleged that when payments were delayed, the bandits attacked Garin Idi on Friday and abducted about 20 residents.

“They later told community leaders that N600,000 must be paid before the victims could be released. The money was raised and paid, leading to the release of the abductees on Friday,” he said.

The source added that five people remained in captivity.

“As of now, there are still five people in their custody. They said they will not release them until the levy is paid. Even after farming, they may still prevent people from harvesting until fresh payments are made,” he added.

Harvests Also Subject to Extortion

Residents further alleged that the bandits often demand a portion of farmers’ harvests before allowing them to store food in their barns.

“Every year, after harvesting, they demand part of the produce from farmers before allowing them to store their crops. This has become a recurring burden on our communities,” the source said.

Police React

Reacting to the allegations, the Sokoto State Police Command said it was unaware of the development.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, stated that the command had not received any formal reports regarding the incident.

“We are not aware of such a situation. Most times, communities do not report these kinds of incidents to security agencies,” he said.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Sokoto State Government were unsuccessful. Messages sent to the governor’s spokesman, Abubakar Bawa, and the Special Adviser on Security Matters, Col. Ahmad Usman (Rtd), had not been responded to as of the time of filing this report.

Growing Concerns Over Security and Food Production

The latest development has raised serious concerns about insecurity in rural communities and its impact on agricultural production. With farming activities disrupted and residents compelled to pay levies to armed groups, many fear that food production and livelihoods in the affected areas could face further challenges if urgent security measures are not implemented.