Bandits have abducted over 100 villagers in Mutumji, Sabongari Mahuta, Kwanar Dutsi and Unguwar Kawo communities of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State over non-payment of harvesting levies imposed on them.
It was learnt that the bandits have been terrorizing the communities as they could not pay the levies imposed on them.
A villager from Mutumji, Alhaji Muhammad Usman told the newsmen that the bandits stormed the community at about 8 pm and started shooting sporadically, forcing residents to run for safety.
Usman narrated that the bandits’ kingpin in the area, Damina, had earlier imposed N110 million on the communities as harvesting levies, giving them two weeks ultimatum to comply or face the consequences.
“N50m levy was imposed on our community, while N30m was imposed on Kwanar Dutsi; N20m on Sabongari Mahuta, and N10m on Unguwar Kawo”, he said.
Another source from the area disclosed that the communities had started contributing the money when the terrorists stormed the community and abduct the villagers.
The spokesman of the State’s Police command could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
The incident came barely a week after some villagers were abducted in Ruwandoruwa community of the same Local Government Area.
It could also be recalled that early this year, the bandits killed a Divisional Police Officer and some police officers in Maru town of the same Local Government Area of the State.
Crediblenews.ng
