Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
KEBBI STATE, Nigeria — Armed bandits have imposed a ₦6 million levy on residents of Falfala, Dgolo and Dbebke villages in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, warning that farmers will be blocked from accessing their fields unless the money is paid. The development, which came to light on Sunday, June 28, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the agrarian communities, threatening to disrupt the crucial planting season and deepen food insecurity concerns across the region.
Community leaders have reportedly appealed to the Kebbi State Government and security agencies for urgent intervention, according to local sources. The ultimatum comes at a critical period when farmers across northern Nigeria are preparing their fields for planting following the onset of seasonal rains. Agricultural activities in many parts of the region have previously been disrupted by insecurity, resulting in reduced cultivation, displacement of farming populations, and concerns over food production.
Residents said the demand has triggered widespread anxiety, with some families reportedly considering abandoning their homes over fears of possible attacks if the levy is not paid. Others remain uncertain about returning to their farms due to concerns about their safety. The reported ultimatum affects communities within the Danko-Wasagu axis, an area that has experienced recurring security challenges linked to armed banditry in recent years.
The imposition of levies on farming communities has become an increasingly common tactic by bandit groups across Nigeria's North-West, where armed groups extort rural populations through illegal taxation before allowing cultivation activities to proceed. Residents often describe such arrangements as a form of "tax" or temporary peace deal. However, findings suggest that these agreements rarely guarantee lasting security, as communities frequently continue to face intimidation, attacks, and renewed demands despite compliance.
Security experts have warned that the payment of levies to criminal groups could strengthen their operational capacity, expand their influence in rural areas, and pose further threats to food production and regional stability. The latest development in Danko-Wasagu mirrors a broader pattern of extortion by armed groups across the region. In June 2026, bandits reportedly demanded a ₦40 million levy from farmers in Bena District of the same local government area before allowing them access to their farmlands for the 2026 cultivation season. In February 2026, bandits operating in parts of Kebbi South demanded ₦100 million from Utouno community in Ngaski Local Government Area, threatening to launch an attack if their demand was not met.
Agriculture remains one of the primary economic activities in Kebbi State, with thousands of residents engaged in the cultivation of rice, maize, millet, sorghum, and other staple crops. Any disruption to farming activities during the planting season could have severe implications for local agricultural output and rural livelihoods. The reported incident adds to broader concerns about the impact of insecurity on agricultural production across parts of northern Nigeria, where attacks on rural communities have in some cases limited access to farms, markets, and transportation routes.
As of the time of filing this report on Monday, June 29, 2026, security authorities had not issued an official statement confirming the alleged ₦6 million demand, and no formal announcement had been made by the Kebbi State Government regarding the specific claims from the affected communities. Community leaders and residents have continued to call for increased security presence and protection for farming settlements, arguing that safe access to agricultural land is essential for economic stability and food production.
The threat to block farmers from accessing their fields unless the levy is paid highlights the growing pressure armed groups are placing on rural farming communities, threatening livelihoods and disrupting cultivation during the planting season. For the residents of Falfala, Dgolo and Dbebke, the clock is ticking, and the future of this year's harvest hangs in the balance.
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