Residents of 25 villages in the Tsafe West district of Zamfara State have fled their homes in fear after a notorious bandit leader, Dan Isuhu, imposed a massive levy of N172.7 million along with demands for agricultural produce.
The affected communities, located in the Tsafe Local Government Area, are struggling under the burden of this violent extortion.
Villages such as Gijinzama were asked to pay N8.5 million, while Dakolo faces a demand of N5 million plus 20 bags of beans.
Other affected villages include Kunchin Kalgo (N20 million), Sungawa (N15 million), and Yalwa (N2.7 million), among others. The bandits threatened brutal retaliation against communities that fail to comply, leading to widespread fear and mass displacement.
Speaking with reporters, a villager named Isah from Yalwa pleaded for urgent intervention, saying, “We need protection to live in our villages.” Many residents have abandoned their homes and farms, seeking refuge in safer areas as the bandits continue their reign of terror.
