Farmers in Shanawa, Jangeru, and Galadi communities of Shinkafi Local Government Area, Zamfara State, are crying out for help after armed bandits allegedly demanded ₦20 million from them before they could access their farms this harvest season.
Residents say the latest demand has sparked anger and fear across local farming communities, accusing the armed gangs of turning agriculture into a “ransom business.”
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the bandits have made such demands a recurring practice.
“They ask for money before we can plant, and when it’s time to harvest, they demand another payment,” he said. “We can’t farm on our own land in peace again. We must pay the bandits before we can even touch our crops.”
According to him, the latest warning from the group was blunt: “Bring ₦20 million or forget your farms.”
Another resident noted that anyone attempting to access the farmlands secretly, especially at night, risks being abducted or killed.
Security analyst Bakastine confirmed that the affected communities have faced several attacks in recent months, with bandits tightening control over rural farmlands.
“These attacks have become a form of economic warfare,” he said. “The bandits use fear and extortion to dominate rural communities.”
Farmers are now appealing to the Zamfara State Government and security agencies to take decisive action, lamenting that repeated peace talks have yielded little result.
“We are tired of peace talks that change nothing,” another farmer said. “We just want to farm and live in peace again.”
