Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Residents of Kaya village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State are living in fear following threats by armed bandits who have imposed a levy of ₦8 million on the community, allegedly in retaliation for the killing of a notorious bandit leader, Isuhu Buzu, during a recent security operation.
According to residents, the threat was issued shortly after a joint operation involving the Zamfara State Community Protection Guard (ZCPG) and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), which reportedly led to Buzu’s death. Armed groups are said to have warned that failure to pay the demanded sum would attract violent reprisals, including attacks on homes and residents.
Community members insist they had no involvement in the security operation and described the levy as collective punishment against innocent civilians. Many say the threat has disrupted daily life, with families afraid to move freely, farmers abandoning their fields, and traders staying away from markets.
Local sources told reporters that similar levies have previously been enforced in nearby communities following the deaths of bandit commanders, often resulting in abductions, killings, or destruction of property when residents failed to comply.
Community leaders in Kaya have appealed to the Zamfara State Government and federal security agencies to urgently deploy additional forces to the area, intensify patrols, and secure surrounding villages and access routes. They warned that without a visible and sustained security presence, the community remains vulnerable to attack.
“Our people are not part of what happened. Yet we are the ones being punished,” a community leader said. “We are begging the government to protect us. We should not pay with our lives for something we did not do.”
Security analysts note that reprisal threats often follow the elimination of high-profile bandit leaders in the North-West, as armed groups seek to reassert control, intimidate communities, and discourage cooperation with security forces. They warn that failure to prevent enforcement of such levies risks emboldening criminal groups and undermining counter-banditry efforts.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from security authorities confirming additional deployments to Kaya. Residents say their sense of safety now depends on how quickly and decisively authorities act.
For the people of Kaya, the immediate question remains whether government intervention will come in time to prevent violence — or whether the threat of revenge will once again be carried out against civilians caught in the middle of an ongoing security crisis.
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