Bandits !mpose N10Million Levy On Zamfara Villages, Sh0ot One In Fresh Att∆ck
Bandits Impose N10Million Levy On Zamfara Villages, Shoot One In Fresh Attack
According to security analyst Bakatsine, the incidents affected Totari and Gyattawa villages, where residents were said to have been dispersed following the invasions.
Bandits have reportedly imposed a levy of approximately ₦10 million on residents of Mada District in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, with at least one person reportedly shot during fresh attacks on two villages.
According to security analyst Bakatsine, the incidents affected Totari and Gyattawa villages, where residents were said to have been dispersed following the invasions.
Providing details of the first attack, Bakatsine stated, “Armed bandits on Friday invaded Totari village in Mada District, Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, imposing a levy of approximately ₦10 million on residents.”
Explaining what followed the demand for payment, he added: “According to local sources, villagers who were unable to raise the demanded sum were violently attacked and forced to flee their homes.”
Describing the second incident in Gyattawa village, he said, “Last night, bandits stormed Gyattawa village, also under Mada District, where residents were similarly dispersed. At least one person was shot during the attack and is feared dead, although official confirmation is still awaited.”
Bakatsine stated, “Community members say the attacks are part of a recurring pattern of extortion. Prior to the last rainy season, residents reportedly paid millions of naira to bandits in order to gain access to their farmlands. After harvest, they were again compelled to pay about ₦8 million to retrieve their farm produce.”
On fresh allegations of additional demands, he further said: “Now, sources allege the same armed groups are demanding that villagers sell their harvested crops to raise additional payments, threatening further violence if the new levies are not met.”
He also conveyed residents’ concerns about security response, “Residents lament the absence of emergency response or sustained security intervention, saying they feel abandoned amid persistent violence and financial exploitation.”
The latest incidents come amid a series of attacks reported in Zamfara State in recent months. On October 17, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that five police officers were killed during a gun battle with bandits in Tsafe Local Government Area.
In July 2025, the platform also reported that vigilantes killed a suspected bandit leader, Kachalla Danbokolo, and six other commanders in the state.
Earlier reports detailed attacks in parts of Maru and Bukuyum local government areas, where residents were killed and others abducted in separate incidents in 2025.
