Residents, who are already struggling with financial difficulties and insecurity, are now forced to choose between paying the large amounts or running the risk of being attacked by the armed gang.
Residents of the Garin Lamido and Yan Shuni towns in Katsina State’s Bakori Local Government Area have been subjected to new levies of ₦10 million each by bandits who are loyal to infamous kingpin Isiya Kwashen Garwa.
The incident, according to SaharaReporters, occurred just months after many “peace agreements” between the armed group, local officials, and community stakeholders were purportedly established. These agreements were supposed to bring peace back to the unstable region.
Counter-insurgency tracker Bakatsine confirmed the fresh extortion in a security alert released on Wednesday, stating that many residents have been forced to flee their houses due to fear of violent retaliation.
Bakatsine stated that the scenario has revealed obvious flaws in the execution of the previous peace agreements and that the re-imposition of these levies has caused widespread alarm.
Residents, who are already struggling with financial difficulties and insecurity, are now forced to choose between paying the large amounts or running the risk of being attacked by the armed gang.
The most recent incident has prompted serious questions about the viability and legitimacy of negotiated ceasefires with bandit groups in northwest Nigeria.
But even amid purported ceasefires, communities still experience violence, kidnappings, and extortion despite officials’ repeated pledges.
“Why are communities still being subjected to such demands under a supposed truce and who will be held accountable for this apparent breakdown?” Bakatsine said.