Bandits Impose N10m Levy On Kaduna Farmers

Bandits have imposed a N10 million levy on farmers in Birnin-Gwari communities in Birnin-Gwari local government area of Kaduna State. They asked farmers to either pay the fine or forget farming this year.

The bandits’ threat was revealed by the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU). The chairman of BEPU, Mr Ishaq Usman Kasai, disclosed this in a statement he issued to congratulate President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Dakaren Birnin-Gwari) and appealed to him to address the security challenges in the council and by extension Kaduna State.

He said, “Disturbingly, the bandits continue to impose levies on farming communities in the area. Just this week, the bandits imposed N10 million levies on three farming communities, namely: Sabon-Layi,  Tashar Keji and Ruwan Rana where they gave these communities three days, which expires Tuesday 30/5/2023 (today) to meet up this demand or be attacked.”

He added that the insecurity situation in their area is a serious cause for concern, where Birnin-Gwari people are being kidnapped and killed by bandits daily, saying the economy of Birnin-Gwari which relies majorly on farming has been seriously crippled and that today, people could no longer access their farmlands due to insecurity. He noted that most basic schools were closed and transportation halted affecting trading.

He said that farming communities are being sacked by bandits almost every day and people, mainly women and children, are becoming internally displaced persons on a daily basis. “Even today, as I am writing this congratulatory message, the community is on the other hand at grief because even last Sunday night, Dadin Kowa village was attacked and sacked by bandits on motorcycles wielding different kinds of rifles.

“In another sad development, Sunday, May 5, 28, 2023, being a day to your inauguration, a large number of people including women and children were kidnapped on the road along Dogon Hawa, just about two kilometres away from the Birnin-Gwari main town,” he said.

He lamented that these have become the order of the day, adding that “In fact, just three days ago, Birnin-Gwari capital was stormed by bandits where people were abducted including teenage girls. Some school children in the Eastern part of Birnin-Gwari who were abducted on their way to schools are still in captivity for over 100 days now. However, we hope this administration can take decisive action to address this problem.”

“As the President of Nigeria, His Excellency has the power to ensure that the people of Birnin-Gwari live their lives in peace and security where they can freely continue to exploit economic and educational potentials without fear of attacks by these terrorists,” he begged Tinubu.

BEPU also urged TInubu to prioritise unity and inclusivity in his administration, fostering an environment where all Nigerians would feel represented and their voices heard. He advised Tinubu to promote diversity and actively seek to bridge any divides and create a cohesive society that thrives on the strengths of its multiculturalism.