The dreaded bandits who have been killing many and kidnapping others are growing in ranks and file.
They are no more limiting their activities to killing and kidnapping, they are now seizing powers in communities.
The people of Magami in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara state have cried for help over the worsening state of insecurity in their communities. They said bandits are destroying their farmlands and imposing levies on them.
“If you fail to pay bandits the levy, they either abduct you or burn your farmland,” they said.
“Once you left Gusau before you reach Magami is a herculean task unless you have an escort.” A native of Magami said in a phone interview, adding that the area was in a serious calamity.
Since the killing of MOPOL, in a day they block the road 4 to 5 times. They stop the large vehicles and empty the contents. They also impose a tax.”
“If you go to Magami, a kilometer to Magami the bandits can stop you, either abduct you or ask you to pay tax.”
“As from Monday, they have set two farms on fire at Magami because of failure to pay tax to the bandits.”
“The farmers went to harvest maize on the farm but the bandits stopped them and set the farms on fire. They held two women hostage, who were there. The bandits seized a new vehicle belonging to the farmers, but they later released the women.”
“The bandits demanded money, before the farmers could mobilize and pay them, they set the farms on fire and threatened that if money was not given to them, they will continue to burn the farms .”
“Yesterday the bandits set some places on fire near the entrance to the town, but people teamed up and chased them away before putting off the fire.”
“What happened was less than a kilometer to Magami and the place was on the road. They are doing that to show us if money is not paid to them, they will continue to burn people’s farms.”
“There are plans to collect money from community members and pay them. But before that is done, if you dare go to the farm, they will abduct you, burn your farm, and demand for ransom. That is our current predicament.
However, a BBC Hausa report said the state police command denied the story, saying no complaints had been made before it of any destruction of farmland by the bandits.
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