Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
Residents of Yargoje and surrounding communities in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State are gripped with fear after notorious armed bandit leader Mustapha Babaro allegedly imposed a ₦50 million levy on them, warning that any village that fails to pay within his stated deadline “will face repercussions.”
The threat comes barely weeks after the Katsina State government and local authorities held two separate peace parleys with bandit groups—a move that was meant to calm tensions and restore safety across rural communities battered by years of violence. Instead, residents say the situation is worsening.
Local sources confirm that Babaro’s men circulated the demand across multiple villages on Thursday, triggering panic among families who have already endured repeated attacks, extortion, and mass displacement.
The development has intensified public concern over the effectiveness of ongoing peace negotiations in the state. Many residents and security watchers are now questioning why communities that participated in peace talks are still being subjected to extortion by the same armed groups.
For villagers in Kankara, the bigger issue goes beyond the levy: it is the growing fear that peace deals may be emboldening the very criminals they are meant to restrain. With threats now escalating, citizens are asking whether these truces can truly protect them—or if they are simply buying time for bandits to regroup and strengthen their hold over rural communities.
The atmosphere across Yargoje and neighbouring settlements remains tense as residents await government action and security reinforcement to prevent yet another cycle of violence.
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