Bandits have issued a Monday ultimatum to seven communities in Tsafe Local government area of Zamfara State to pay a sum of N37 million as ransom or it launch attack in the areas.
The communities include Bawagauga, Hayin Uda, Ruguza, Dumuyu, Zigau, Mai-Rerai and Gidan Kado.
According to Vanguard, a reliable source in the area who confirmed this development said the bandits shared the amount (N37 million) among the communities.
The source said the bandits demanded that residents in Bawagauga pay N13 million, Hayin Uda to pay N7 million, Gidan Kado to pay N6 million and Mai-Rerai to pay N4 million while Ruguza, Dumuyu and Zigau were to pay N2 million each.
The source also revealed that the bandit leader identified as Hassan Bamamu has sometimes ago signed a peace pact with the government of Zamfara State and pledged to desist from banditry activities.
The source further said that it has already alerted the security authorities about the ultimatum for swift intervention.
All the communities were said to be about 25km away from Tsafe Local government headquarters.
The spokesman of the Zamfara State Police Command, SP Mohammed Shehu, could not be reached to confirm if it is aware of the ultimatum and measures being put in place to secure the communities.