Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Jevaun Rhashan
Residents of Doma village in Tafoki Ward of Faskari Local Government Area in Katsina State are reportedly facing renewed intimidation after a notorious bandit leader, Isiya Kwashen Garwa, allegedly imposed a fresh levy of ₦40 million on the community following a deadly attack that left more than 20 people dead earlier this year. The development has intensified fear across surrounding settlements as families flee their homes, worried that further violence could erupt if the community fails to meet the demand.
The crisis stems from an attack that occurred in early February 2026 when armed men suspected to be loyal to Garwa stormed Doma village. Security and local government sources later confirmed that at least 13 people were killed during the raid, although community leaders said the death toll exceeded 20, with several others injured and homes destroyed. During the attack, the assailants reportedly set houses on fire and also burned a vehicle while residents fled for safety. The violence devastated an already fragile rural community struggling with years of insecurity in the region.
Following the massacre, the bandit leader is now said to have demanded ₦40 million from the village as a form of levy or protection payment, according to local residents familiar with the situation. The demand has placed enormous pressure on families who have already suffered significant losses from the attack. Many villagers reportedly lack the financial capacity to raise such a large amount, leading to widespread displacement as people abandon their homes to avoid potential reprisals.
Stone Reporters note that the demand for payment represents a troubling escalation of criminal tactics used by armed groups in northwestern Nigeria. In many affected communities, bandits have increasingly imposed taxes, levies or protection payments on villages, farmers and traders. These payments are sometimes demanded under threats of violence, creating a system in which rural populations are forced to finance the very groups responsible for attacks against them.
The situation in Faskari is particularly controversial because it comes months after a controversial peace initiative involving the same bandit leader. In September 2025, Garwa reportedly appeared at a reconciliation meeting in Hayin Gada community in Faskari Local Government Area, where local leaders attempted to negotiate an end to years of attacks and kidnappings in the area.
Garwa, who had previously been declared wanted by Nigerian security authorities and linked to multiple killings and kidnappings across the northwest, surprised many residents by participating in the dialogue. Community leaders hoped that the talks would halt violence and allow farmers to return to their fields after years of disruption caused by bandit raids.
As part of the reconciliation process, Garwa reportedly released dozens of kidnapped victims in Faskari and surrounding communities. In one widely reported development, about 70 abducted individuals were freed following negotiations between community representatives and the armed group. The releases were interpreted by some residents as evidence that the peace dialogue might reduce attacks in the region.
However, skepticism about the sincerity of the peace deal remained widespread from the beginning. Security analysts warned that similar agreements in other parts of the northwest had often collapsed, sometimes allowing armed groups to regroup or exploit communities financially while maintaining their operational networks.
The February attack on Doma village has reinforced those concerns. Analysts say the assault demonstrates the limitations of community-driven negotiations with armed groups when enforcement mechanisms and security guarantees are weak. Critics argue that such arrangements can unintentionally legitimize bandit leaders while leaving communities vulnerable to renewed violence if agreements break down.
Stone Reporters note that Katsina State has long been one of the epicentres of banditry in northwestern Nigeria. Armed groups operating across forest corridors in Katsina, Zamfara and neighbouring states have carried out repeated attacks involving mass killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling and village raids. These groups often move between states and across porous borders, complicating efforts by security agencies to contain them.
Faskari Local Government Area, where the latest crisis is unfolding, has experienced numerous attacks over the past decade. Communities in the area are surrounded by forested terrain that has provided hideouts for bandit groups operating across the region. Farmers, traders and travellers using rural roads have frequently been targeted for kidnapping or robbery.
In response to the ongoing insecurity, Nigerian security forces have conducted multiple operations across Katsina State aimed at dismantling bandit camps and rescuing kidnapped victims. However, the vast terrain and complex network of armed groups have made the situation difficult to control.
The latest development has left many residents of Doma and neighbouring villages in a state of fear and uncertainty. Families are reportedly relocating to safer areas, abandoning farms and homes as they struggle to avoid further attacks. Community leaders say that unless stronger security measures are introduced, displacement could increase and agricultural activity in the area may decline sharply.
Observers warn that the demand for ₦40 million underscores the growing economic dimension of banditry in northwestern Nigeria. Armed groups have increasingly turned to systematic extortion of rural communities, transforming violence into a structured criminal economy that thrives on fear and weak state presence.
For residents of Doma village, the immediate concern remains survival. With the memory of the February killings still fresh and the new levy hanging over the community, many villagers now face a stark choice between raising money they do not have or abandoning their homes in search of safety.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments