By Jikan Hussaini, Gusau
As farmers gather their crops during this year’s abundant harvest season, bandits have become a significant problem. Reports from rural communities in Zamfara State indicate that these criminals are burning agricultural products and extorting money from towns and villages.
According to a report by Abdurazak Bello Ƙaura, communities along the Zamfara-Kebbi border are facing challenges as bandits raid and devastate their farms by setting them on fire.
A resident of the Farin Ruwa community in the Maru Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Chairman, reported that bandits have gathered large groups and are burning agricultural products such as guinea corn and soybeans, as well as kidnapping farmers for ransom. Some communities have also been subjected to extortion by these bandits.
Similar reports have emerged from Wanke, Zargada, and Dan Godabe, where residents expressed their frustration at being left vulnerable to the bandits. One resident who begged to be anonymous stated, “We feel like we are no longer part of Nigeria because we receive no assistance. Our only option is to comply with the demands of the bandits.”
