Bandit Leader Reduces Levy on Zamfara Community from N50m to N30m

Residents of Moriki, a town in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, have managed to negotiate a reduction in the ransom imposed on them by notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji. Initially demanding N50 million, Turji agreed to lower the amount to N30 million, with the condition that it must be paid by Wednesday.

The villagers, facing the constant threat of violence, have decided to comply with the demand despite advice from a local commander not to pay. The commander had assured them that Turji’s animals would no longer be harmed, in hopes of preventing further attacks.

Fears among the villagers are high that if they fail to meet the new demand, Turji will retaliate with more brutal attacks on their community. This anxiety is compounded by the fact that approximately fifteen local politicians and social activists are still being held hostage by Turji’s group, having been abducted from Moriki despite the presence of soldiers stationed in the village.

The situation highlights the ongoing struggle for safety and security in Zamfara State, where communities like Moriki are often left to fend for themselves against violent bandit groups. Residents feel they have little choice but to meet the bandit’s demands to avoid further bloodshed.

This troubling development is yet another example of the challenges faced by rural communities in Nigeria’s northwest, where banditry and kidnappings have become an almost daily occurrence.