Bandits impose N10m levy on Kaduna farmers

A N10 million levy has been imposed by bandits on farmers in Birnin-Gwari communities, Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The bandits asked the farmers to either pay the fine or forget farming this year.

Mr Ishaq Usman Kasai, the chairman, Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union, BEPU, disclosed this in a statement made available to DAILY POST.

He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the security challenges in the council and by extension Kaduna State for total restoration of peace.

According to him, “Disturbingly, the bandits continue to impose levies on farming communities in the area.

“Just this week, the bandits imposed N10 million levies on three farming communities, namely: Sabon-Layi, Tashar Keji and Ruwan Rana where they gave these communities three days, which expired Tuesday 30/5/2023 (today) to meet up this demand or be attacked.”

He observed that the insecurity situation in the area is a serious cause for concern, lamenting that Birnin-Gwari people were being kidnapped and killed by bandits daily.

He added that the economy of the people, which solely depends on farming, had been seriously crippled by the activities of bandits.

He lamented that people no longer accessed their farmlands due to insecurity, noting that most schools were closed and transportation halted in the area.

The chairman further disclosed that women and children were becoming Internally Displaced Person(s) IDPs, on a daily basis, pointing out that “last Sunday night, Dadin Kowa village was attacked and sacked by bandits on motorcycles wielding different kinds of rifles.”