Terrorists operating in Zamfara have collected about 19 million as a protection levy from residents of 14 communities in the Anka Local Government Area of the state.
The communities also bought a canoe for the gunmen ahead of the rainy season.
SaharaReporters gathered that most of the affected villages are under the control of the terrorists.
Residents said the move became necessary following the nonchalant attitude of the government and security agencies who seemed to have abandoned them to their fate and jettisoned any idea of providing security for farmers.
They lamented the incessant killings and abductions in the communities by gunmen who operate freely.
In recent times, security agents and civilians have both suffered several attacks at the hands of terrorists in the state.
Agrarian communities in the state have also been terrorised by gangs who raid villages, steal cattle and kidnap residents for ransom.
In 2019, the state government signed a peace agreement with the gunmen.
About 15 brand new Hilux vehicles and cash gifts were also given to leaders of different ‘repentant’ gangs of bandits by the governor in 2020.
But despite all these, communities in the state are still being attacked and residents kidnapped and/or killed.
