Farmers in Dan Isa district, Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State, say they are farming under threat this rainy season.

Bandits have demanded ₦800,000 from each of the 35 villages before residents can touch their land. That’s ₦28 million just to plant crops.

And when harvest time comes, the same amount must be paid again. That’s another ₦28 million. In total, ₦56 million has been paid to bandits this year.

“We Paid, Yet They Still Loot Us”

The Ward Head of Dan Isa, Malam Hassan Yarima, confirmed the situation in a phone call.

“Each village will also pay another ₦800,000 to allow its residents to harvest their crops. This is the agreement we have reached with the bandits’ leader in-charge of this area, Dan Sadiya.”

Yarima said the villagers had no choice. “We do not have any option but to comply with his directives, otherwise, the bandits will not allow us to cultivate our farms.”

Despite the payments, bandits still raid the villages. They rustle livestock, loot food, and sometimes abduct women.

“They visit our villages every week and on every visit, we have to gather some money, foodstuffs and provisions items to give them. Sometimes, after collecting these items, they will pick some women and go with them.”

“They’ve Taken Everything From Us”

Yarima said the villagers are drained. “We want to live in peace with the bandits but sincerely speaking they have collected everything from us.”

He added that the bandits “rustled our animals and carted away with our money, farm produce and other belongings.”

Recent reports show that bandits raided 16 villages in Kaura Namoda between August 2 and 3, killing five and abducting over 50 people.

The violence continues despite efforts by local vigilantes. In Kwalau village, four people were killed while trying to block the bandits’ return route.

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