Farmers in Dan Isa district of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Zamfara State, have raised concerns over threats from bandits during the current rainy season.

The Ward Head of the area, Malam Hassan Yarima, revealed that each of the 35 villages in his district paid ₦800,000 before residents were permitted to begin farming.

“Each village will also pay another N800,000 to allow its residents to harvest their crops. This is the agreement we have reached with the bandits’ leader in-charge of this area, Dan Sadiya.

“I am only talking about my district; I don’t know what residents of other districts paid to the bandits this year. But one thing I am sure of is that residents have to pay before they are allowed to farm.

“We do not have any option but to comply with his directives, otherwise, the bandits will not allow us to cultivate our farms. At least when we farm, we can get something for our families,” he said.

However, Yarima lamented that despite paying the fees demanded for farming, bandits still stormed their villages, stealing livestock and looting food supplies.

He expressed regret that residents of the affected communities had depleted their resources in repeated attempts to maintain peace with the armed groups.

“We want to leave in peace with the bandits but sincerely speaking they have collected everything from us. They rustled our animals and carted away with our money, farm produce and other belongings.

“They visit our villages every week and on every visit, we have to gather some money, foodstuffs and provisions items to give them. Sometimes, after collecting these items, they will pick some women and go with them,” he said.