In Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria, bandits are said to have evicted villagers from their farms after they failed to earn a N30 million fee.

Residents of the Kairu community in the Bukuyum Local Government Area of the state were forcibly evicted from their farms on Saturday after failing to pay the bandits the N30 million peace price requested.

This comes amid a global prediction of food shortages, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to HumAngle, the leader of a gang of bandits, Dogo Gudale, had issued a three-day ultimatum to the villagers to pay the demanded sum or vacate their farmlands. The message was delivered by Isuhu Jauga, a resident of the community, who was kidnapped earlier alongside five others.

I was released on May 18, 2022, specifically to deliver this message to my compatriots.

About seven of Gudale’s members came to us on Saturday at about 12 pm, dropping some warnings to us that we have to make that payment of N30 million in cash in order to free our community and other neighbouring settlements.

“The group released me to convey this message, and threatened that they would destroy our soil, burn down our houses, and take over our village," Jauga said in Hausa.

Accordingly, at least five people were kidnapped on May 11, 2022, based on the demand. A resident of the area listed those abducted to include Bello Daji, DanHafsi, Danlami Wulli, Isuhun Guntu, and Chede Basullube.

The fleeing farmers said they had reported the matter to the Zamfara State Government but regretted that no help had come.

The spokesperson for the police in Zamfara could not confirm the incident, saying he needed more time. He said, "I'll reach out to the DPO (Divisional Police Officer) from the area and get back to you, please."