From Maiharaji Altine Gusau
Residents of Gidan-goga village of Maradun local government area in Zamfara state live in total fear, as they struggle to raise and pay N20m levy imposed on them by Bandits kingpin, Bello Turji before the deadline.
Turji has imposed N20m levy on the residents of the village and asked them to pay the money on or before Sunday this week.
He threatened to attack the village if the money was not paid on or before the deadline.
An indigene of the area who begged for anonymity for security reasons told Analyzer news that he has relocated to Gusau town for fear of Turji’s wrath.
He stressed that, he has no money to contribute to the community for the payment of the levy, as such, he decided to pack his family and leave the village.
“I was asked to contribute N25.000 for the payment of the levy and I tried my best to meet up with the demand but I could not, due to economic hardship”.
“So I decided to leave the village because I know what will happen if the N20m levy imposed by Turji is not paid on the stipulated time”.
Another resident of the village who gave his name as Musa Sani told The PUNCH that the community has also recently paid N15m levy to other bandits not in Turji’s camp.
He lamented that, “it might be difficult for us this time around to raise another money for Turji’s demand”.
He told The PUNCH that many people particularly women and children have since fled to other places.
“Many people have runaway and I don’t think those that are still in the village can pay the N20 million levy this coming Sunday”.
When asked if they have reported the matter to the security agents, Sani said that, they did not report because both the police and the military were aware of their predicament.
“They are aware of what is going on in the village. So what is the essence of reporting the issue to them since they know what is happening? Queried Sani.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the state police command SP Mohammed Shehu said, “The command did not receive report on the issue”.
“However, the police is working tirelessly to ensure safety and security of the people of the state”.
“We urge the public to promptly report such security threat to the police and other security agencies for quick response”.
