Farmers in the Dan Isa district of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Zamfara State, have raised the alarm over a troubling trend, armed bandits now demand huge payments before allowing them to farm or harvest crops. The practice, which has persisted for some time, has become even more widespread this rainy season.

 

The Ward Head of the area, Malam Hassan Yarima, revealed that all 35 villages under his jurisdiction were forced to pay a hefty sum of ₦800,000 each to the bandits just to gain access to their farmlands.

 

 

Yarima further explained that the ₦800,000 payment only covers the farming season. Each village would have to pay an additional ₦800,000 later in the year to be allowed to harvest their crops.

 

“Each village will also pay another N800,000 to allow its residents to harvest their crops. This is the agreement we have reached with the bandits’ leader in charge of this area, Dan Sadiya,” he said.

 

 

 

He stressed that this arrangement was specific to his district and that other districts may have reached different deals with bandit groups operating in their areas.

 

The Ward Head said the villagers were left with no other option than to comply, in order to avoid violent repercussions and ensure they could provide for their families.

 

“We do not have any option but to comply with his directives, otherwise, the bandits will not allow us to cultivate our farms. At least when we farm, we can get something for our families,” Yarima added.

 

 

Shockingly, despite the agreed payments, the attacks haven’t stopped. Villagers are still subjected to routine harassment and extortion by the same bandits.

 

“They [the bandits] rustled our animals and carted away with our money, farm produce, and other belongings. They visit our villages every week, and on every visit, we have to gather some money, foodstuffs, and provision items to give them,” Yarima lamented.

 

 

In some cases, the bandits go beyond looting. Yarima revealed that women were often abducted during these raids.

 

“Sometimes, after collecting these items, they will pick some women and go with them,” he said grimly.

 

 

The situation in Dan Isa paints a dire picture of the insecurity that has taken root in parts of Zamfara State. Residents now live under constant fear and economic strain, forced to fund their own oppression.

 

Local leaders have renewed calls for urgent government intervention to protect farming communities and dismantle the criminal networks controlling access to farmland in the region.