Residents of Bazar and neighbouring villages in Yabo Local Government Area, Sokoto State, say suspected bandits have imposed an N15 million levy on their communities and threatened violence if it is not paid.
The affected settlements lie in the Sokoto South Senatorial District, represented by Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. Locals told journalists the levy was announced after a raid that began around 11:40pm on a Friday and lasted until about 1:06am.
“One of our villages was raided. They abducted seven people and later released our village head and five others after warning us not to report the attack,” said Dauda Umar. He added that bandits looted shops and carried away goods worth millions of naira. He described the situation as dire and urgently in need of government attention.
Community members say those who cannot raise the demanded sum face further violence. They have appealed directly to the chairman of Yabo Local Government and to the Sokoto State Government for stronger security measures to prevent loss of life and property. “We have reported to the police, but we still need more support to tackle this threat,” Umar said.
The alarm in Yabo follows similar pleas from residents in Kebbe Local Government Area. Community leaders there recently told a press briefing in Sokoto that repeated raids have left people unable to sleep and that official protection is insufficient. At that briefing, leaders called on the Federal Government to allow local communities to bear arms for self-defence or to provide direct funding so local councils can equip community security outfits.
Local leaders insist they do not want vigilantism, but they warn communities will take other steps if security does not improve. The Yabo residents are now awaiting a clear response from state and federal authorities as tensions rise and livelihoods hang in the balance.
