Bandits in Bena, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, have demanded N40 million from farmers before allowing them access to their farmlands for the 2024 farming season, sparking widespread fear and displacement in the region. The development, reported on Saturday by security analyst and crisis journalist Bakastine via his X handle, has raised alarms over the increasing vulnerability of rural communities in the North-West. Residents say the demand is part of a growing trend where armed groups impose levies under the guise of “peace arrangements” or “taxation,” forcing farmers to pay before engaging in agricultural activities.
The N40 million demand has caused panic among farming families, with some abandoning their homes and communities over fears of violent retaliation. Others remain trapped in uncertainty, unsure whether to return to their land or risk their safety by staying away. Sources from the affected villages confirm that the situation has intensified existing tensions in an area already plagued by insecurity and a lack of visible security presence. The absence of military or police intervention has left communities feeling abandoned and exposed.
This pattern of armed groups extorting rural populations is not new in the North-West, but its persistence underscores a deeper crisis in governance and security. Analysts warn that such levies, while sometimes framed as “protection fees,” do not bring peace but instead deepen cycles of fear, intimidation, and forced compliance. Farmers who pay often face repeated demands, while those who refuse risk attacks or the destruction of their crops and property. The practice undermines agricultural productivity and threatens national food security, especially during a critical planting season.
Bakastine, in his social media post, questioned the legitimacy of such arrangements, asking, “If farmers must pay bandits before cultivating their land, who truly controls these communities?” His inquiry highlights a troubling reality: in many parts of Nigeria’s North-West, armed groups have effectively taken over governance functions, imposing rules and collecting taxes without accountability. Security experts caution that continued tolerance of these practices may embolden criminal networks and expand their territorial influence.
Despite the gravity of the situation, security operatives have yet to issue any official statement or deploy forces to the area. This silence has left residents anxious and without clear guidance or protection. The lack of response from authorities raises concerns about the government’s capacity or willingness to address rural insecurity effectively. As the farming season approaches, the fate of thousands of families and their livelihoods hangs in the balance.
The incident in Bena underscores the urgent need for a coordinated security and development strategy to restore safety and trust in rural communities. Without decisive action, the cycle of fear and extortion may continue, further eroding Nigeria’s agricultural base and deepening humanitarian challenges in the region.
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