Hundreds of residents of Gidan Mai Jimina and Garangozai communities in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State have been thrown into panic after suspected bandits reportedly imposed a N5 million levy on the communities and demanded a motorcycle each from them or risk being attacked.
The gunmen were said to have threatened violent reprisals if the demands were not met before the deadline they issued.
The latest threat from the terrorists came a few hours after armed men reportedly abducted the village head of Gidan Mai Jimina, identified as Malam Habibu, on Monday.
Residents said the traditional ruler was later released after a motorcycle and N100,000 were allegedly handed over to the kidnappers.
Sources in the area disclosed that the attackers later stormed Garangozai community where they abducted another village head, identified as Malam Sule.
Villagers said tension heightened on Tuesday morning after the bandits reportedly returned and stationed themselves along routes linking Gidan Tulluwa, Gangaren Rafi and Gindin Mangwarori.
According to residents, the armed men were heavily armed and issued fresh threats to the affected communities.
“They asked residents to provide N5 million and a new motorcycle before 2 p.m. on Tuesday and warned that there would be consequences if the demands were not met,” a resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said.
The development has sparked fear across the communities, with many residents expressing concerns over their safety.
Some locals said the recurring attacks have left them vulnerable, noting that they were uncertain about what could happen if the communities failed to meet the demands.
Findings indicated that similar cases of extortion and mass abductions have been recorded in several parts of Katsina State in recent months, raising fresh concerns over worsening insecurity in the North-West region.
Security analyst and conflict journalist, Bakatsine, who disclosed the incident in a post on his X handle, questioned the continued attacks on rural communities.
“How many more innocent lives must be lost before decisive action is finally taken?” he asked.
He urged security agencies to adopt proactive measures to protect vulnerable communities from further attacks.
Bakatsine also noted that banditry in the North-West was largely fuelled by economic hardship, weak governance and access to weapons.
“In the North-West region, banditry is driven less by ideology and more by poverty, collapsed rural livelihoods, weak governance, revenge cycles, cattle rustling economies, and easy access to arms,” he said.
“Many join for survival, protection, or profit. Their resilience is sustained by forest hideouts, local informants, ransom payments, and continuous recruitment of youths.”
Residents, particularly farmers, warned that continued attacks could disrupt farming activities and threaten food production in the area.
They called on both the state and federal governments to intensify efforts to restore security and protect lives and livelihoods in the affected communities.