Villagers Forced to Pay Bandit Levies for Harvesting Crops in Kaduna

• Villagers in Kaduna state face extortion and threats from bandits, compelled to pay levies ranging from N70,000 to N100,000 before harvesting crops
• Bandits, led by warlords like Buhari and Gana’i, create a climate of fear, forcing an exodus of farmers and raising food shortage concerns

In a disturbing development, villagers in Kaduna state are being compelled by bandits to pay levies before they are allowed to harvest crops from their farms. The affected farmers, primarily from Kidandan and Galadima villages, are facing extortion and threats from these criminal elements.

Residents of Kidandan village, such as Malam Jamil Kidandan, revealed that farmers are forced to pay levies ranging from N70,000 to N100,000 before they can harvest their crops. Those who resist these demands face the risk of being kidnapped, killed, or having their produce seized by the bandits.

The bandits, led by a warlord and his associates, position themselves on the sidelines while farmers negotiate access to their own fields. This disturbing situation is not limited to Kidandan but extends to other villages like Angular Fala’u and Kerawa, where farmers face constant harassment and kidnappings while working on their farms.

A concerned villager, requesting anonymity, identified key bandit warlords in the area, including Buhari, his deputy Gana’i, and the third in command named Kwalameri.

The prevailing insecurity has led to an exodus of farmers from their fields, raising concerns about potential food shortages in the state. Displaced individuals like Malam Jafar Anaba highlight the urgency for intervention, urging the federal government and security agencies to intensify raids on bandit camps around Giwa Local Government Area.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday night, another group of bandits invaded Anguwar Algaita village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, abducting 12 residents, including women and adults. Tragically, two bodies were discovered in a nearby bush, believed to be individuals who refused to comply with the bandits’ demands. The injured survivor was rushed to Birnin Gwari Hospital for medical treatment.

The ongoing banditry poses a serious threat to the well-being of residents, and urgent measures are needed to address the security challenges in the affected areas. As of now, there has been no official response from the state Police Command regarding these incidents. The residents are left in distress, appealing for assistance from both the state and federal governments.