Fear has gripped residents of Bazar and nearby villages in the Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State following reports that a group of armed bandits has demanded a ₦15 million levy from the community. The attackers allegedly threatened to unleash deadly assaults if their demands were not met, warning that farmlands could be destroyed and harvested crops seized should residents fail to comply.
According to locals, this is not the first time the community has faced such threats. The gunmen, said to be familiar with the area, have previously carried out violent attacks that left lasting fear among the people. One of the residents, Alhaji Dauda Umar, confirmed the development, saying the situation has thrown everyone into panic. He explained that the bandits’ familiarity with the terrain has made their threats even more terrifying.
“It’s true they demanded ₦15 million and threatened to harm our people if we don’t pay,” Umar said. “They’ve attacked us before and know our town very well.” He recounted that the latest incident occurred last Friday around 11:40 p.m. when the gunmen invaded the community, operating freely for over an hour before leaving at about 1:06 a.m. During the attack, seven people, including the village head, were abducted. Umar said the kidnappers later released the village head and five others after warning them not to report the incident. The bandits also looted several shops and carted away goods worth millions of naira.
Umar added that while the community had reported the situation to the police and other security agencies, there had been little response so far, leaving residents anxious and helpless. “We’ve informed the authorities, but help hasn’t arrived. Our people are living in fear, and many have started abandoning their farms,” he said. He appealed to the Chairman of Yabo Local Government and the Sokoto State Government to intervene urgently and strengthen security in the area to prevent further attacks.
Reports suggest that Bazar is not the only community under threat. Nearby villages such as Tudun Rini and Runji have also allegedly been forced to pay similar levies, with demands as high as ₦17 million each. The recurring extortion, residents say, highlights a disturbing trend of insecurity and economic hardship across rural communities in Sokoto and other parts of Northern Nigeria.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the command had not yet received official reports of the ₦15 million demand. However, he assured that the police would intensify surveillance and patrols across the affected areas to maintain peace and protect residents from further harm.
The growing wave of insecurity in Sokoto State has continued to raise concerns among farmers and local leaders, many of whom now fear that food production could decline sharply if the threats and attacks persist. For the people of Bazar and its neighbouring communities, life has become a daily struggle for survival in the face of rising banditry and dwindling security presence.