Katsina Villagers Sell Homes To Pay Bandit Levy For Farm Access

Residents of Gatakawa in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State are selling personal belongings and taking loans to raise a ₦20 million levy imposed by bandits who now control access to their farmlands.

The criminals have warned that no farmer will be allowed to harvest crops without payment.

The imposed levy has plunged families into severe financial distress. Many villagers have been forced to sell land, livestock, and household items, while others borrow money to meet the gang’s demand. The growing desperation has left the once-thriving farming community struggling to survive.

Security analyst Bakatsine said the situation has exposed the failure of peace deals previously struck between local authorities and armed groups. He noted that despite multiple agreements, attacks, kidnappings, and extortion continue across rural Katsina, leaving residents in constant fear.

Even after paying the levy, some farmers claim the bandits return with new demands, trapping them in a cycle of economic hardship. Villagers say the uncertainty makes it nearly impossible to plan or invest in future farming seasons, threatening both livelihoods and food production.

Beyond the financial toll, the community is suffering deep psychological trauma. Residents live under constant fear of violence, unsure if they will survive long enough to harvest the crops they have worked for all year.

Local leaders have appealed to both state and federal authorities for urgent intervention. They warn that unless strong security measures are introduced, rural communities across Katsina will remain helpless under the grip of criminal groups, pushing the region deeper into hunger and despair.