Fear is spreading across parts of Kebbi State after armed bandits reportedly demanded a staggering N40 million from farmers before allowing them access to their farmlands for this year’s planting season.
The demand is said to affect several communities in Bena, located in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, where residents are already battling persistent insecurity and the threat of violent attacks.
Security analyst and conflict journalist Bakatsine disclosed the development in a post on X on Saturday, raising fresh concerns about the growing influence of armed groups in rural communities across Nigeria’s North-West region.
According to reports from affected communities, the ultimatum has triggered panic among residents, with some families reportedly abandoning their homes out of fear, while others remain unsure whether it is safe to return to their farms.
The development comes at a critical time as farmers prepare for the rainy season and the start of agricultural activities. Many residents depend on farming as their primary source of income, making access to farmlands essential for survival.
Local sources say the demand reflects a troubling trend in several parts of the North-West, where criminal groups allegedly impose unofficial levies on communities before permitting farming, grazing, or movement within certain areas. These arrangements are often referred to locally as “taxation” or “peace agreements.”
However, security experts warn that such payments rarely guarantee lasting peace. Instead, they argue, the practice strengthens the financial capacity of armed groups, encourages further extortion, and weakens state authority in affected communities.
The situation has also raised concerns about food production and food security, as disruptions to farming activities could affect harvests and worsen economic hardship in rural areas.
Reacting to the report, Bakatsine questioned the growing influence of armed groups in affected areas, asking: “If farmers must pay bandits before cultivating their land, who truly controls these communities?”
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies and the Kebbi State Government had not issued any official statement on the alleged demand.
