Bandits operating in the North Western region of Nigeria have allegedly imposed a levy of N20 million on farmers in the Gatakawa community, Kankara LGA, Katsina State, demanding the payment before they are permitted to harvest their crops.
This development, reported on Wednesday by conflict and crisis journalist Bakatsine on X, was cited as a “chilling sign of deepening insecurity” in the North West.
Bakatsine severely criticized the supposed “peace deal” struck between bandits and communities in the troubled region, arguing that it has only intensified farmers’ fears. He noted that families are now forced to sell their belongings or take loans just to pay the bandits for access to their farmlands.
He concluded that this widespread extortion threatens national food security and significantly weakens public faith in the authorities’ capacity to safeguard rural communities.
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