Barely 24 hours after the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar in an armed bandits’ den in Katsina State, another armed group has reportedly imposed a N20 million levy on residents of Kwandawa Community in Malumfashi Local Government Area, threatening them with eviction from their ancestral homes if they fail to comply.
The latest incident has further underscored the growing insecurity across Katsina State, where bandit groups continue to terrorise rural communities through kidnappings, killings, cattle rustling, extortion and forced taxation despite sustained security operations.
Residents told BusinessDay that the heavily armed bandits invaded Kwandawa village on Saturday night and informed villagers that payment of the N20 million levy was the only guarantee for their continued stay in the community.
A resident, Ibrahim Tukuri, said the demand was allegedly linked to the killing of one of the bandits during an earlier confrontation with members of the local vigilance group operating in the area.
According to him, the attackers warned that failure to pay the money would force residents to abandon the village entirely.
‘The attackers told us that unless the community pays N20 million, everybody should be ready to leave. They said nobody would be allowed to remain here,’ Tukuri said.
Read also: Governors could be next targets for bandits, buratai warns
He added that the gunmen moved from house to house, looting valuables, household property and bridal gifts belonging to newly married women before extending similar attacks to neighbouring Tsaraka and Maturi communities.
The attack has thrown the affected communities into panic, with many families reportedly fleeing to safer locations while others remain trapped amid fears of renewed assaults.
Residents said the destruction of property and theft of household items have compounded the hardship already facing many families who depend largely on farming for their livelihoods.
The incident comes at a time when Katsina State is witnessing renewed attacks by armed bandits across several local government areas, particularly in communities bordering forests that have become hideouts for criminal gangs operating across the North-West.
In recent months, several communities in Malumfashi, Kankara, Sabuwa, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Faskari and Jibia local government areas have experienced repeated attacks involving mass kidnappings, killings of villagers, cattle rustling and the destruction of farmlands.
Yahuza Getso, a security expert say the criminals have increasingly adopted the practice of imposing illegal levies on rural communities, forcing residents to pay huge sums of money before they are allowed to cultivate their farms or continue living in their villages.
The practice is said to have left many farming communities impoverished, with thousands abandoning agriculture for fear of attacks during the planting season, raising fresh concerns over food security and economic activities in the State.
The latest attack also comes amid widespread outrage over the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who reportedly died while in captivity after being abducted by bandits in Katsina State.
His death shocked many Nigerians and reinforced concerns that the activities of armed groups have become increasingly audacious, with even prominent retired military officers no longer spared from criminal violence.
Residents and community leaders say the two incidents occurring within days of each other reflect the deteriorating security situation confronting many rural settlements across the State.
Beyond the immediate threat to lives and property, villagers fear that continued extortion by armed groups could lead to the gradual abandonment of entire communities as residents relocate to urban centres in search of safety.
The persistent attacks have also disrupted farming activities, forced the closure of local markets and affected transportation on several rural roads, worsening economic hardship for already vulnerable households.
Many residents have appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify military operations in vulnerable communities and strengthen intelligence gathering to dismantle bandit camps operating within forest corridors linking Katsina with neighbouring States.
They also called for improved collaboration between security agencies, local vigilante groups and traditional institutions to enhance early warning systems and prevent further attacks.
Security analysts believe the growing confidence displayed by armed groups in imposing taxes and threatening entire communities demonstrates the urgent need for a more coordinated response involving advanced surveillance technology, improved logistics and sustained security presence across rural areas.
As fear continues to spread across Kwandawa and neighbouring villages, residents say they remain uncertain about their future, wondering whether they will be able to remain in their ancestral homes or be forced to abandon generations of heritage to armed criminals.
For many communities across Katsina State, the latest N20 million levy is not merely another demand for ransom but a stark reminder of the escalating security crisis that continues to challenge government efforts to restore lasting peace across the North-West.