Bandits have continued to operate unhindered in parts of the north of the country as they recently imposed a staggering N60 million levy on no fewer than 12 communities in Zamfara State for providing intel to security agencies.
The criminals accused the locals of actions which allegedly disrupted their strongholds.
It is the same in Katsina State where in recent times they imposed a N1.5 million levy on four communities of Gurza, Kurechin Giye, and Kulawu in the Danmusa area, and a N10 million protection levy on Unguwan Zakara village of Dutsin-Ma in Katsina State
According to a post on X by Bakatsine, a conflict and crisis journalist in northwest Nigeria, the Zamfara communities affected by the newest levy are Koloma, Dan Hayin Zargado, Zargado, Dan Godabe, Sabuwar Tunga, Makini, Bubaka, Yelwa, Bahwada, Koda, Manya & Kabusu.
The terrorists who reportedly invited village Heads and representatives to a meeting to discuss how to co-exist peacefully ended the meeting imposing a levy on the villages.
A traditional ruler in Dan Kurmi, Sani Usman, told BBC Hausa that the terrorists also said they were punishing the residents for burning their hideouts in the forests.
Non-state actors imposing protection levy is common in Zamfara and its neighbouring states.
They impose the levies to finance their terrorism activities.
Several communities in the volatile states of Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Niger, and Kebbi have been attacked for failing to pay the levies.
