By Muhammadu Sabiu
Some villages in Zamfara State’s Zurmi LGA have to pay a “compensation charge” of varying amounts.
Aliyu Buhari, a resident of Moriki, one of the settlements in the local council, claimed that the bandits had demanded payment of the levy through released hostages before allowing villagers access their farmlands.
According to Buhari, some villages have paid the bandits and reached a reconciliation agreement with them.
He also noted that people in Moriki are actively striving to increase the tax.
He was quoted as saying, “People living in Moriki ward were asked to pay the sum of N20 million to be able to enjoy some level of peace.”
There have recently been reports of abduction in the state as the bandits have yet to demand a ransom for some of the abductees.
