Residents of Bazar community and surrounding villages in Yabo LGA of Sokoto State are living in fear after suspected bandits imposed a ₦15 million levy on them, threatening to launch deadly attacks if the payment is not made.
Community members said the armed group warned that failure to meet the demand would destroy farmlands and harvested produce.
A resident, Dauda Umar, said the demand has left many villagers anxious and uncertain.
“It’s true that the bandits demanded ₦15 million from us, threatening to harm our people if we don’t pay. They’ve attacked us before and know our town very well,” Mr Umar said.
He explained that the latest invasion occurred last Friday around 11:40 p.m., when gunmen stormed the area, operated for over an hour, and left around 1:00 a.m.
“They abducted seven people, including our village head, but later released him and five others after warning them not to report the incident. They also looted shops and carted away goods worth millions of naira,” he added.
Mr Umar said residents had reported the attack to security agencies but complained about the slow response.
“We’ve informed the authorities, including the police, but we need urgent help. Many people are scared and already planning to abandon their farms,” he said.
Locals appealed to the Yabo Local Government Council and the State Government to intervene and strengthen security in the area.
Residents said similar levies had been imposed in Tudun Rini and Runji villages, where bandits demanded ₦17 million from each community — a sign of the growing wave of extortion in parts of the state.
When contacted by the Punch, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, stated that the command had not received official reports of the levy but assured that surveillance and patrols would be intensified in affected areas.
In recent months, bandits have stepped up attacks across rural Sokoto, targeting farmers and traders despite ongoing military operations in the region.
