Funtua-Tsafe Residents have called for federal and state governments’ interventions, by deploying security personnel, with the establishment of a military post in the Tsafe West council area after Danisuhu-led gunmen have imposed N182.7 million levy on 25 communities in Zamfara State.
According to local intelligence sources, failure to comply, is, threatened with attacks and other violence.
Though security has improved in the Funtua-Tsafe axis and Tsafe town, villages in Tsafe Local Council are at risk of attacks and imposed taxes.
Residents of the Tsafe West council area lamented the imposition, saying: “The security situation, with the levying of taxes and bags of assorted grains by bandits, is dire and a threat to our lives and property.” They stated that the exploitation of farmers forced them to flee their communities.
“Those who could not afford the imposed levies, however, face violent reprisals, leaving us with no choice, but to flee to safer communities in the state,” said Isa Usman, a farmer.
In a breakdown, Usman, said: “Gajinzama community is to pay N8.5 million; Dakolo, Kane, Karda, Biya, Unguwar Danhalima, Unguwan Rogo, Jatanga, Magazu, and Tsageru are each to pay N5 million with 20 bags of soya beans,” adding that three other communities are each to pay N15 million, while two communities are each to pay N10 million.
He noted that out of the 25 communities, the bandits forced Kunchi Kalgo to pay N20 million. Usman continued: “There are five communities in the council that are forced to pay levies between N2.5 million and N6 million to the bandits.”
“We’re in dire need of emergency relief materials to enable us to survive banditry and taxation in the council.”