Residents of Garin Lamido and Yan Shuni communities have reportedly been thrown into fear after armed bandits imposed a fresh ₦20 million levy on the two villages.
The demand was allegedly issued by fighters loyal to a notorious bandit leader, who reportedly ordered each community to pay ₦10 million despite earlier peace arrangements said to have been brokered in the area.
The latest development has heightened concerns over insecurity in several rural parts of the country, where communities continue to face threats, extortion and attacks from armed groups.
According to reports, some families have already begun fleeing their homes over fears of reprisals from the bandits.
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Residents of the affected communities were also said to have questioned the effectiveness of previous peace deals reached with armed groups, arguing that the latest levy exposed the fragile nature of such agreements.
Many farmers in the area are reportedly avoiding their farmlands due to growing insecurity, raising fears of worsening hardship and displacement across the communities.
Sources familiar with the situation warned that the continued payment of levies to armed groups could strengthen the influence of bandits and encourage further intimidation of vulnerable rural settlements.
The incident has once again sparked concerns over the security situation in Nigeria’s North-West region, where several communities remain exposed to recurring attacks despite ongoing security operations.
