Many farmers in Dan Sadau village, Maru local area of Zamfara State have been denied access to their farms.
According to BBC Hausa, terrorists locally known as bandits are operating freely in the area. This is despite speculations that banditry activities have reduced in the state.
Mustapha Umar, the district head of Dan Sadau said bandits have taken over the community and thus prevented locals from going to their farms.
The head told BBC Hausa that residents in Dan Sadau Emirate, and other neighbouring villages, are suffering from the perpetual attacks by the bandits.
“One cannot move out for a kilometre because the attackers have found a place to stay and block the road,” he said.
Corroborating the monarch, Abubakar Haruna, the leader of the local security patrol group in the council, said the bandits are operating modern slavery in the area.
“Now many villages in Dan Sadau are in a state of misery and worry, because of the attacks that are brought to us every time,” he said. “No one can go to his farm let alone grow what to feed his family.”
The bandits have been attacking many areas in Zamfara, including Maru local council.
Locals said they suspect that the terrorists want to establish a colony in the area.
Zamfara is one of the states in northern Nigeria that suffer insecurity, especially banditry and kidnapping for ransom.
Efforts to reach spokesperson for Zamfara Police Command, Mohammed Shehu proved abortive. His line was switched off and a text sent to him had not been responded to.
Babaji Usman Babaji is an investigative journalist with over four years of experience, renowned for his impactful reporting on corruption, human rights violations, and holding those in power accountable in Nigeria.
His career is distinguished by participation in numerous media training programs and conferences, which have honed his investigative and reporting skills. Babaji’s data-driven stories have made a significant impact, particularly in Northern Nigeria, shedding light on critical issues and driving meaningful change.
As a reporter under WikkiTimes’ Collaborative Media (CMEDIA) Project, Babaji has led several groundbreaking investigations. He was a 2022 fellow of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and a 2024 Media Foundation for West Africa DPI/DPG fellow. His contributions to accountability journalism earned him a Certificate of Recognition from Xchange Hama Media for impactful community work.
