Bandits demand N24million as taxes from nine communities in Zamfara

Palpable tension has gripped Zamfara State residents as bandits mandated nine villages to pay N24million taxes or face another dastardly attack.

The bandits’ letters demanding the tax had reached the affected communities through kidnap victims who recently regained freedom, where they warned the villagers not to hesitate in paying the money. 

The letters which carried a phone number were signed by one of the bandits’ commanders, Dogon Sabi na Auwali Wanzam asking the nine villages to pay the tax.

The communities under this obligation are Yargalma, Tungar Gebe, Wawan Iccen Ibrahim, Wawan Iccen Salihu, Galle, Nannarki, Ruwan Kura, Gangara and Gaude.

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According to the letter, the village of “Yargalma will pay N5,000,000; Wawan Iccen Ibrahim N4,000,000; Wawan Iccen Salihu N1,000,000; Gaude N1,000,000; Gelle N1,000,000; Tungar Gebe N500,000; Gangara, N1, 500,000, while Nannarki and Ruwan Kura will pay the sum of N5,000,000 respectively.”

It was learnt that some of the community leaders who received the letters from the bandits reported the matter to the authorities. However, there was no reaction from official quarters on the development.

According to a resident, “the bandits had stayed in Gando forest and launched attacks on some communities in Bukkuyum and Anka Local Government Areas. They killed dozens and rustled over 2000 cows.” 

“When some captives were released and returned home, the bandits gave them letters to the communities demanding payment of tax. 

“The letters were signed by one of the bandit’s commanders, Dogon Sabi na Auwali Wanzam asking the nine villages to pay the tax. The letter which carried a phone number warned the villagers not to hesitate in paying the money. Some of the community leaders who received the letters from the bandits reported the matter to the authorities. However, there was no reaction from official quarters on the development.” 

Confirming the development was the village head of Zugu who said he received the letters that were sent by the bandits and he was directed to distribute them to the villages mentioned in the letters.