Gunmen have imposed over N1 million as levies on Birnin Tsaba, Gabaken Mesa, Gabaken Dan-Maliki, Turawa, Askawa and Yanbuki communities in Zurmi, Kaura Namoda and Birnin-Magaji local government areas of Zamfara state.
ChannelsTV reported on Sunday, that a resident, Aliyu Abdul said the people of Askawa have paid N5 million for 18 abducted persons as well as to prevent further attacks on their community.
The report says that because some communities were yet to raise the money before the December 11 deadline given to them by the gunmen, panic had resulted in the communities.
“Gabaken Mesa has paid N1 million, Gabaken Dan-Maliki, N1 million and Birnin Tsaba N1 million, just to mention but few,” Aliyu said.
He explained that the Yanbuki community was told to pay N19 million but after negotiation, it was reduced to N10 million.
Asked if security agencies were aware, he said: “No one is going to police to report, knowing full well that nothing will be done but to tell them to pay the money.
“I personally went to the military on Friday evening in Kaura Namoda to report the incident; I almost ended up fighting with one of the soldiers. I can categorically tell you nothing has been done, till now.”
The Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, who confirmed the development, said the state government is working with the security agencies to ensure that the communities are secured.
“The said government is working with the security agencies to make sure that these communities are secured,” the commissioner said.
