In their bid to evade attacks by bandits in the eight frontline local government areas of Katsina State, villagers have resorted to entering into truce and payment of monthly fees to the bandits.
A Public Affairs Analyst, Dr. Muttaqha Darma, who confirmed this in an interview, revealed that the amount agreed is in the range of 150,000 Naira monthly
Some of the villagers who could not continue the payment have deserted their homes as well as their farm lands.
Part of the means allegedly devised by the locals in the villages that usually come under attack is either to show solidarity or enter into a truce with the bandits to evade attacks.
Some of the villages that are allegedly involved in the act are mainly in Faskari Area Council namely; Unguwar Tsamiya, Birnin Kogo, Bangi, Kahi, and Raba as confirmed by a local to Dr Darma.
According to him, in Raba, most especially where the villagers were not able to sustain the agreement due to the fees variations by different bandit camps in Zamfara State who demanded up to 150,000 naira per month, said they have to flee the village for fear of the unknown.
Reacting to this allegation, the Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Masari on Security Matters, Ibrahim Katsina, confirmed the development but said those days have gone as efforts are being made to make the villagers go back to their lands.
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He further assured Katsina residents and Nigerians that this year’s farming season will not be affected has been feared by many.
Katsina also used the medium to call on the locals to continue giving timely, accurate information, and cooperate with the security agencies to ensure they win the ongoing war against banditry.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
