Residents of Ilali, a community in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, are living in fear after armed bandits imposed a ₦10 million levy on them and gave a two-week ultimatum to pay or face a violent attack.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the bandits, through an intermediary, summoned local leaders and instructed them to raise the money if they wanted to continue living peacefully in their village.
“They asked our village to pay ₦10 million before we are allowed to farm this season,” one resident said. “They warned that if we fail to pay within two weeks, they will attack the entire village. Many people have already fled their homes because we know they will carry out their threat.”
The source confirmed that security agencies are aware of the demand but expressed doubt that any concrete action will be taken to protect the community.
Another resident described the situation as “very worrisome,” saying that those still in the community are living in constant fear.
Katsina State, like many parts of Nigeria’s North-West region, has endured years of violent attacks by armed gangs who raid villages, steal livestock, kidnap residents for ransom, and extort rural communities.
