Armed bandits have reportedly imposed a N20 million levy on residents of Kwandawa community in a fresh wave of extortion targeting rural communities in northern Nigeria.
Security Analyst, Bakatsine disclosed the development in a post on Sunday, stating that the armed group invaded the community on Saturday night following the alleged killing of one of their members in the area.
According to the report, the attackers warned residents that the entire community must raise and pay the N20 million demand or face forced displacement from their homes.
“The demand was reportedly linked to the killing of a bandit in the area,” Bakatsine noted.
Residents were also subjected to further distress as the armed men allegedly went from house to house, stealing bridal gifts and household items belonging to newly married women.
The attackers were also reported to have extended their operation to nearby Tsaraka village and Maturi village, where similar incidents of looting and intimidation of newlyweds were recorded.
The situation has sparked renewed concern over the worsening insecurity in parts of Katsina State, where rural communities have repeatedly faced attacks, kidnappings, and forced payments imposed by armed groups operating across the region.
