Bandits demand N15m levy, Sokoto community residents cry for help

Sokoto map

Tension has gripped the Bazar community and surrounding villages in Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following a fresh demand by suspected bandits for the payment of N15 million levy, with a threat to unleash deadly attacks on residents who fail to comply.

Residents said the terrorists warned that failure to pay the money could result in the destruction of farmlands and loss of harvested produce.

A resident, Dauda Umar, confirmed the development in an interview, saying the community is living in fear after the ultimatum.

“It’s true that the bandits demanded N15 million from us, threatening to harm our people if we don’t pay.

“They’ve attacked us before, and they know our town very well,” Umar lamented.

He narrated that the latest attack occurred on a Friday night around 11:40 p.m., when the assailants invaded the town, operated freely for over an hour, and left around 1:06 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. Punch