Terrorists Ravage Nigerian Community Over Non-Payment of ‘Terror Levy,’ 10 Lives Lost

The residents of Kwanar Dutse in Zamfara State fell victim to a ruthless terrorist attack orchestrated by a group led by notorious kingpin Damina. The assault claimed the lives of ten individuals after the community allegedly failed to pay the N20 million levy imposed by the terror leader several weeks ago.

Damina and his hundreds of fighters descended upon Kwanar Dutse shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, turning the community, situated in the Dansadau emirate of Maru Local Government Area, into one of the most targeted areas in the state.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, armed to the teeth, stormed the community right after the early evening Islamic prayer. A resident, who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons, described the horrifying ordeal, recounting how the terrorists, armed with superior weaponry, unleashed indiscriminate gunfire. Despite attempts by local vigilantes to resist, the assailants overwhelmed the community.

During the ruthless assault, the terrorists set fire to shops and houses, leaving destruction in their wake. A community leader revealed that his cousin was among the ten residents brutally killed during the hours-long attack.

Reports suggest that several individuals from Kwanar Dutse were also abducted by the terrorists, further intensifying the anguish for the beleaguered community.

Residents in nearby towns, including Dansadau, spoke of the growing crisis as refugees flooded their homes. The terrorists, particularly under Damina’s command, routinely impose exorbitant levies running into millions of naira on communities. Failure to comply often results in brutal attacks, reminiscent of the recent tragedy in Kwanar Dutse.

A resident of Dansadau expressed the dire situation, narrating, “Residents of Malele, Ruwan Tofa, Mutunji, and Kwana, and most communities in the northern part (of Dansadau) are in a critical situation because they’ve become easy targets for the terrorists.”

The terror group’s activities, initially stemming from farmers-herders clashes around 2011, have evolved into a form of local terrorism commonly referred to as banditry. Involved in kidnap-for-ransom, cattle rustling, armed robbery, and other criminal activities, these terrorists have caused the death and displacement of hundreds of thousands in Nigeria’s north-west region.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the police spokesperson in the state, Yazid Abubakar, remained unresponsive to calls and messages regarding the recent attack on Kwanar Dutse. The incident follows a pattern seen in previous months, where Damina’s group abducted over 100 residents from Mutunji and neighboring communities after levies went unpaid. The toll of these atrocities continues to mount, underscoring the urgent need for effective intervention and security measures in the state.