Bandits Bar Sokoto Residents from Farm, Impose Fresh Levies

News in Brief:

—Residents of several communities in Sabon Birni LGA say bandits have restricted farming activities until demanded levies are paid.

—Farmers allege repeated payments, threats and abductions have disrupted agricultural activities in the area.

Armed groups have reportedly prevented residents of 26 communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State from accessing their farmlands, imposing new levies ahead of the wet-season farming period.

Community members said the groups issued a three-day warning, directing farmers to stay away from their fields until the payments are made.

Farmers Face Restrictions Ahead of Planting Season

Residents revealed that the affected communities include Garin Faji, Cina Barka, Zululu, Dan Gari, Garin Maigayya, Gardi, Katsira, Garin Baushe, Sulmawa and several others across the local government area.

According to community sources, the directive includes threats of violence against anyone who attempts to continue farming activities before the levies are settled.

One resident claimed that farmers were warned they could face abduction or death if they ignored the order.

Communities Begin Contributions to Meet Demands

Sources said residents have started gathering funds to meet the demands placed on their communities, with traditional leaders and religious figures expected to negotiate payment arrangements.

A resident explained that similar demands have been imposed repeatedly, with communities required to contribute different amounts depending on their size and assumed financial capacity.

Some communities are asked to pay millions of naira, while individual households contribute smaller amounts towards meeting the collective demand.

Repeated Payments Affect Agricultural Activities

Community members alleged that the levies have become a recurring burden, with farmers sometimes required to make additional payments after planting and during harvest periods.

They claimed that even after paying initial demands, farmers may later face fresh restrictions that prevent them from harvesting or storing their produce.

Residents also alleged that farmers are sometimes forced to surrender portions of their harvest before being allowed to keep their crops.

A source from Garin Idi village said about 20 residents were abducted after delays in meeting the imposed payment demands.

The source claimed that community members later paid ₦600,000 to secure the release of the victims, while five others remained in captivity.

He added that the situation has created fear among farmers who depend on the wet season for their agricultural activities.

Police Say They Are Unaware of the Incident

The Sokoto State Police Command said it had not received official reports about the alleged restrictions.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, stated that some communities often fail to report such incidents to security agencies.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Sokoto State Government were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

Meanwhile, the allegations have raised fresh concerns about the impact of insecurity on farming, food production and rural livelihoods in the region.