Extortion Tactics: Kaduna Farmers Forced to Pay Bandits for Crop Harvest

In Kaduna state, villagers face harrowing challenges as bandits impose levies on farmers, compelling them to pay hefty sums to harvest crops from their own lands. Kidandan and Galadima villages report such extortion, while Angular Fala’u and Kerawa villagers face harassment and kidnappings during farming activities.

Residents recount paying anywhere from N70,000 to N100,000 to the bandits to access their farms, with dire consequences for those who resist, facing abduction, violence, or seizure of their produce.

The bandits’ grip extends as farmers negotiate with the warlords to gain farm access, leading to a dire shortage of food crops in the state. Despite pleas for intervention, official responses from authorities, including the state Police Command, remain absent, leaving communities vulnerable.

In a recent incident, bandits invaded Anguwar Algaita village, abducting 12 residents, two of whom were found dead while a third was injured, highlighting the escalating violence and the urgent need for governmental support. Despite attempts to reach authorities for comments, no official statements have been made regarding the distressing incidents.