Bandits’ N37 million demand ultimatum raises fresh tension in Zamfara

The people of Tsafe Local Government Council in Zamfara State have been gripped with fresh tension over bandits’ demand for payment of N37 million ransom.

The people in the community have been given till Monday to pay the amount or risked attack.

Bandits terrorising communities issued Monday ultimatum to the communities which include Bawagauga, Hayin Uda, Ruguza, Dumuyu, Zigau, Mai-Rerai and Gidan Kado, all in Tsafe LGA.

A resident who is currently on the run confirmed the development and said, the N37 million was shared among the affected villages by bandits themselves.

The resident said, bandits know the strength of each community, hence, they told residents of Bawagauga to pay N13 million, Hayin Uda to pay N7 million, Gidan Kado to pay N6 million and Mai-Rerai to pay N4 million, while Ruguza, Dumuyu and Zigau were to pay N2 million each.

The resident said, it’s one notorious bandits Commander called Hassan Bamamu who sometime ago signed peace accord with Zamfara State government and pledged to stop banditry activities that has turned round and demanding for payment from the affected communities.

But it appears security high command is monitoring the development and it’s not clear on their further action, but residents were not asked to relocate.

However, another source told our correspondent that, residents were living in fear because bandits may strike earlier than the date given or they may come few days after the expiration of ultimatum.

Residents expressed fears that if the communities which are about 25km away from Tsafe Local government headquarters comes under attack, security forces may not be on ground for a counter attack.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the spokesman of the Zamfara State Police Command, SP Mohammed Shehu confirm if it is aware of the ultimatum and measures being put in place to secure the communities proved abortive.