Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Suspected terrorists have imposed a ₦10 million levy on eight communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, warning residents to pay the money or face further attacks, according to a resident of Kuyello community who spoke with Blueprint Radio. The resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the terrorists invaded Kuyello two days before issuing the financial demand to the affected communities. The report was accompanied by an audio recording of the conversation between the resident and a Blueprint Radio reporter, in which the source described the situation facing the affected communities. The recording has went viral yesterday, sparking widespread outrage and renewed concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the North-West region.
According to the resident, the levy was imposed on eight communities in the area, leaving many residents fearful of renewed violence if the demand is not met. The development follows a recent attack on Kuyello, which has come under consistent assaults from bandits in recent times. The Kuyello Progressives, a community group, recently alleged that terrorists and armed herders continue to attack residents, destroy farmlands, carry out kidnappings, steal property, and perpetrate other violent crimes despite ongoing security efforts. Just last month, bandits killed six farmers in the Kuyello district, deepening fear and grief in the area.
The imposition of levies on farming communities has become a hallmark of banditry in Birnin Gwari, effectively creating a parallel taxation system where refusal or inability to pay invites raids, kidnappings, or outright massacres. The latest demand of ₦10 million from eight communities mirrors a similar pattern that has plagued the area for years. In 2022, a community leader revealed that farmers in Birnin Gwari had paid between N300 million and N400 million in taxes to bandits to allow them to access their farmlands. In May 2023, bandits imposed a N10 million levy on three farming communities—Sabon-Layi, Tashar Keji, and Ruwan Rana—giving them a three-day grace period that expired on May 30, 2023. More recently, in July 2026, bandits imposed a N10 million levy on farmers in Birnin-Gwari communities.
The relentless attacks have persisted despite a November 2024 peace agreement brokered by local authorities between communities and bandits. The accord has failed to halt repeated attacks targeting farming communities, with bandits continuing to raid villages, kill residents, abduct civilians for ransom, and loot property. Just days before the latest levy demand, bandits killed at least nine farmers and kidnapped several others during a raid on Kakangi village in Birnin Gwari. In another incident, armed gangs killed nine farmers and abducted others in the Kuyello district.
Efforts by Blueprint Radio to obtain comments from the relevant authorities on the alleged levy were unsuccessful, as no official response had been received at the time of the report. The Kaduna State Government and security agencies have yet to officially confirm the reported ₦10 million demand or announce any measures in response to the allegation. The silence from authorities has only deepened the anxiety among residents, who are demanding action and protection from the government.
The latest levy demand adds to growing concerns over the activities of armed groups operating across northwestern Nigeria, where several rural communities continue to face repeated attacks and extortion. Birnin Gwari has remained one of the areas most affected by insecurity in Kaduna State, with armed groups frequently carrying out attacks on communities, abducting residents, and demanding ransom or levies. The region's vast forests provide cover for bandits, who operate with impunity despite ongoing military operations.
For the residents of the affected communities, the levy demand represents yet another burden in a life already defined by fear and uncertainty. Many are farmers who rely on their crops for survival, but bandits have made it nearly impossible to access farmlands without paying extortionate fees. The government's amnesty and reconciliation initiatives have done little to change the reality on the ground. As the viral audio continues to circulate online, the question remains: how long can communities survive under the weight of these illegal taxes, and when will the government act to protect its citizens?
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