Residents of 23 communities in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State are fleeing their homes following the imposition of hefty levies by a notorious bandit leader, Dogo Gide.
The bandits are demanding a total of over N100 million from the affected villages, and residents are fleeing in fear of possible attacks if they fail to comply.
A lawmaker from the Zamfara State House of Assembly, speaking anonymously, confirmed the situation, revealing that more than two-thirds of the population in the affected communities had fled.
“I can confirm that hundreds of residents in Tsafe West have left their homes due to the heavy levies imposed by the bandits,” the lawmaker said.
“Recently, the bandits have altered their methods; the frequency of killings and kidnappings has decreased, but they are now extorting large sums of money from the villagers. People are quietly paying these levies out of fear.”
The Zamfara State Police Commissioner, CP Muhammad Shehu Dalija, also acknowledged the reports, confirming that Dogo Gide had imposed the levies on several communities in the area.
“Although we have not confirmed that residents are fleeing, it is likely that many are leaving their homes to avoid potential attacks by the bandits if they fail to pay the levies,” Dalija said.
“We are deploying additional security forces, including soldiers, DSS, and mobile police, to protect the residents and ensure their safety.”
According to sources, Dogo Gide’s extortion demands vary from village to village. Some of the levies include N20 million from Kunchin-Kalgo, N15 million from Sungawa and Rakyabu, and several other communities are being asked to pay between N2.5 million and N10 million.
The full list includes: Magazu (N10 million), Gijin-Zama (N8.5 million), Kwaren Mai-Saje (N10 million), and many others.
A resident of Magazawa, Yusuf Dalhatu, explaining that many people have abandoned their homes out of fear.
“I am in Gusau now, and my family is in Tsafe town. I cannot stay in Magazu because the bandits might come at any time to collect their levy,” Dalhatu said.
“If they don’t get what they want, they will likely force us out.”
Isa Inuwa Machiya, a resident of Machiya, also shared his concerns: “Our village is now deserted. When I left, only a few people remained behind, and they too are planning to leave. They have sent their families to safer areas.”
The total amount demanded from these 23 communities by Dogo Gide and his group stands at an alarming N100 million, spreading fear across the region.
Security forces are working to restore safety, but for now, many residents continue to live in uncertainty.
