Communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have been asked to pay ₦7 million by bandits operating in the area, following a recent military operation which the gunmen claim was facilitated by local residents.
A joint security task force recently conducted a major operation in several communities in Shiroro LGA, during which an unspecified number of bandits were neutralised, while many others fled to neighbouring communities in Kaduna State. Areas affected by the operation include Kusasu, Iburo and Chukuba, among others.
However, barely two days after the operation, the bandits reportedly returned in large numbers, accusing residents of inviting the military to attack them. They allegedly imposed a ₦7 million levy on the communities as compensation for losses suffered during the operation.
A resident of one of the affected communities, who spoke to our correspondent on the phone and requested anonymity for security reasons, said the bandits were angered by the casualties they recorded during the operation.
According to him, although many of the bandits escaped into the bush, several were killed while others sustained injuries.
“They were very angry and accused us of inviting the military to kill them. They threatened to wipe out the communities, but we pleaded with them and told them we had no knowledge of the operation,” he said.
He explained that the bandits arrived on about five motorcycles, fully armed, and moved around the communities before calling residents to a meeting.
“They demanded ₦7 million to cover the losses they suffered, including the cost of treating their injured members. They gave us just one week to pay and warned that if the military attacks them again, they will kill everyone,” he added.
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The source further disclosed that many of the gunmen terrorising the area are Fulani youths who were born and raised within the affected communities but later turned against the residents.
He recalled that about a month ago, local youths successfully repelled attacks by the bandits, killing some of them, which brought temporary relief before the arrival of the joint security task force.
The resident stressed that lasting peace in the area would only be achieved through the establishment of a permanent security or military camp, particularly in Kusasu or Chukuba communities, which he described as major entry routes used by the bandits to launch attacks in Shiroro LGA and parts of neighbouring Munya Local Government Area.
“Until a military camp is stationed in either Kusasu or Chukuba, communities in Shiroro and parts of Munya will not know peace,” he said, noting that the bandits are believed to have a permanent camp between Gwagwalada in Kaduna State and Kuduru in Niger State.