Armed groups loyal to notorious bandit leader Isiya Kwashen Garwa have reportedly imposed fresh levies of N10 million each on residents of Garin Lamido and Yan Shuni communities in Bakori Local Government Area, despite earlier peace agreements in the area.
The latest demands were disclosed by security analyst and conflict journalist Bakastine in a post shared on X, where he expressed concern over the continued exposure of rural communities to attacks and intimidation.
According to reports from the affected areas, the new levies have sparked fear among residents, with several families allegedly abandoning their homes over concerns of possible reprisals if the demands are not met.
Community sources said the development has further increased tension in the area, which has struggled with repeated incidents of bandit attacks and inadequate security presence.
Residents also questioned the effectiveness of previous peace arrangements brokered between local authorities, community leaders, and representatives of armed groups, noting that violations of such agreements have become frequent.
Despite ongoing military and security operations across parts of Katsina State, armed groups are still said to wield influence in several rural communities, worsening fears among farmers and villagers who rely heavily on access to their farmlands for survival.
The situation reflects a broader pattern across parts of North-West Nigeria, where armed groups reportedly demand levies from communities and sometimes launch attacks when payments are delayed or refused.
Security observers have warned that the continued payment of levies may strengthen the operational capacity of criminal groups and deepen insecurity across vulnerable settlements.
Bakastine also questioned whether existing security measures are sufficient to protect residents, raising concerns over the long-term effectiveness of current strategies aimed at tackling rural banditry in the region.
