Bandits Demand ₦172.7 Million Levy from 25 Zamfara Villages
Armed bandits led by a notorious kingpin, Danisuhu, have imposed a staggering ₦172.7 million levy on 25 villages in Tsafe West, Zamfara State, further worsening the insecurity and economic challenges facing the region.
According to local intelligence sources, the levies, which also include demands for in-kind contributions such as bags of soybeans, are backed by threats of violence. This has triggered a mass exodus of residents, leaving many villages deserted.
Breakdown of Levies Per Village
The affected communities and their levies include:
Gijinzama: ₦8.5M, Dakolo: ₦5M + 20 bags of soybeans, Gunja: ₦7M, Kauyen Kane: ₦5M, Kurar Mota: ₦6M, Sabon Garin Bakin Gulbi: ₦2.5Mi, Kbari: ₦3M, Karda: ₦5M, Daga Ciki: ₦3M, Biya: ₦5M, Barebari: ₦6M, Kauyen Magaji: ₦7M, Kwaren Maisaje: ₦10M Magazawa: ₦10M, Maciya: ₦Same, Unguwar Danhalima: ₦5M, Unguwar Rogo: ₦5M Katanga: ₦5M, Magazu: ₦5M, Sungawa: ₦15M Rakyabu: ₦15M, Yalwa: ₦2.7M, Tsageru: ₦5M, Gidan Anne: ₦7M, Kunchin Kalgo: ₦20M
Residents unable to meet the bandits’ demands face brutal attacks, forcing many to abandon their homes, farmland, and livelihoods.
“The situation is dire,” a local source lamented. “Those who can’t pay face violent reprisals, leaving them with no choice but to flee.”
Although security has improved along the Funtua-Tsafe axis and Tsafe town, these gains have not extended to the rural villages in Tsafe West.
Residents are calling for urgent government intervention, including deploying more security personnel and establishing permanent posts in Tsafe West. Displaced residents are also in dire need of emergency relief to survive the crisis.
