Armed groups operating in Zamfara State have reportedly ordered 12 villages to pay a total of N60 million, blaming the residents for recent military operations that disrupted their hideouts.
The communities affected include Koloma, Dan Hayin Zargado, Zargado, Dan Godabe, Sabuwar Tunga, Makini, Bubaka, Yelwa, Bahwada, Koda, Manya, and Kabusu.
Local sources say the ultimatum came with serious threats—failure to pay could lead to abductions, arson attacks, or worse. The threat has left many villagers anxious and desperate for protection.
A journalist known as Bakatsine raised the alarm via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, cautioning that the situation could deteriorate without swift intervention from authorities.
The former councillor of Dankurmi Ward, Hon. Iliyasu Salisu Dankurmi, confirmed the bandits’ demand during a conversation with BBC Hausa.
He attributed the extortion to recent military offensives in the area that reportedly caused significant damage to the criminal elements.
He added that eight villagers from Zargado have already been seized, with their freedom now dependent on ransom payments.
Community leaders are pleading with both federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to step in and prevent an escalation of violence.
As of now, neither the military nor the Zamfara State government has issued an official response to the situation.
This development adds to the growing wave of insecurity in Nigeria’s Northwest, where rural populations continue to suffer under frequent attacks, kidnappings, and extortion by heavily armed gangs.
