Armed bandits have reportedly imposed a levy of about ₦10 million on residents of Mada District in Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State. At least one person was said to have been shot during fresh attacks on two villages.
Security analyst Bakatsine said the attacks hit Totari and Gyattawa villages, forcing residents to flee their homes.
Giving details of the first attack, he said, “Armed bandits on Friday invaded Totari village in Mada District, Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, imposing a levy of approximately ₦10 million on residents.”
On what happened after the demand for money, he added: “According to local sources, villagers who could not raise the demanded sum were violently attacked and forced to leave their homes.”
About the second attack in Gyattawa village, Bakatsine said, “Last night, bandits stormed Gyattawa village, also under Mada District, where residents were similarly dispersed. At least one person was shot during the attack and is feared dead, although official confirmation is still awaited.”
He also said, “Community members say the attacks are part of a recurring pattern of extortion. Before the last rainy season, residents reportedly paid millions of naira to bandits to gain access to their farms. After harvest, they were again forced to pay about ₦8 million to retrieve their farm produce.”
On new allegations of extra demands, he added: “Now, sources allege the same armed groups are demanding that villagers sell their harvested crops to raise more payments, threatening further violence if the new levies are not met.”
Bakatsine also conveyed residents’ worries about security, saying, “Residents lament the absence of emergency response or sustained security intervention, saying they feel abandoned amid persistent violence and financial exploitation.”
