The residents of Gidan-goga village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State have raised alarm over a N20 million levy imposed on them by bandits’ leader, Bello Turji.
DAILY POST gathered that Turji imposed a N20m levy on the villagers, demanding that the money must be paid on or before Sunday 27th November, 2022.
It was also gathered that the bandits’ kingpin had threatened to unleash terror attack on the village if the money was not paid on or before the deadline he gave them.
According to one of the villagers, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said he managed to escape to Gusau metropolis with his family because of Turji’s threat.
“I have no money to contribute to the community for the payment of the levy, so the only option was to look for a way of escape with my family.
“The community leaders demanded the sum of N25.000 from me for the Turji’s levy. I tried my all I could to meet up with the demand but could not due to the present economic hardship.
“So, I decided to leave the village with my family because I don’t know what will happen if the N20m levy imposed by Turji is not paid after the deadline he gave,” he lamented.
Another villager, who gave his name as Ibrahim Mohammed, said that the community recently paid N15m levy to other bandits’ leaders
“We believe that the bandits’ leader, Bello Turji may find it very difficult to realise the N20 million he is demanding because of economic challenges facing the people,” he stated.
According to him, many of the villagers, especially women and children, have since fled to other places.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), S P Mohammed Shehu said that no such report had been received by the command.
He assured that the command would deploy team of arm police men and Tactical Operatives to the area.
Shehu said that the security agencies are on top of the issue to secure the lives and properties of the residents of the State, appealing to the public to assist the security agencies through vital information.
