Terror Leader Conscripts 240 Residents As Farmhands In Northwest Nigeria

Dogo Gudale, a terror leader in Northwest Nigeria, has conscripted 240 people from 12 communities to work as his farmhands at Fasagora forest in Bukuyum, Zamfara. 

In his directive given on Saturday, Aug. 27, Gudale summoned 20 persons each through a message he sent to the village heads of 12 communities. These communities include Dargaje, Danzamau, Falali, Gidan-Dakarkari, Tashar-Taya, Fura-Girke, Kyaram, Fasagora, Mallamawa, Kura, Zara, and Farnanawa.

Also in the message, the gang leader demanded that “any village that refuses to send their delegate to his farm should pay ₦1 million ($2,337) to avoid his wrath,” Tukur Danmanu, a resident of Farnanawa who was among those nominated by his community, told HumAngle. 

“Every village head of our respective communities summoned senior elders of various domains to nominate 20 persons of youthful age to represent all the villages at Gudale’s farmland,” he added.

Usmanu Dargaje, 57, lamented that “my son Samaila is among the 220 boys sent on our behalf to go in exchange for peace. The farm is too far to be reached, so they used motorcycles to meet Gudale’s deadline.”

“This is another form of slavery we are experiencing in our areas. We farmed for Dogo Gudale under harsh weather conditions and were exposed to various dangers on the farmland. Not even a cup of water was given to any of us who worked there right from 9:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today [Saturday],” Buba Garba, 35, from Fura-Girke village, said.

Gudale has been terrorising villages of Gummi and Bukuyum LGAs in Zamfara State, including communities of Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State. 

“Our local authorities are quite aware of this sad development in our areas under Kyaram and Zarumai wards in Bukuyum LGA,” another local, Kabiru Mamman Dargaje, added. 

All efforts to speak to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Zamfara State Police Command, Mohammed Shehu, proved abortive as he did not answer his phone calls. 

Those who provided labour for the terrorists told HumAngle that Gudale and his gang plan to apply the same measures in other villages in the coming weeks. The terrorists are cultivating millet, maize and other produce currently.

HumAngle had earlier reported cases of ransom payment and forced labour by terrorists in Bukuyum LGA.

This reporter tried to reach the Sole Administrator of Bukuyum, Bashir Muawiya Mesudan, but his telephone line was switched off. It was the same in the case of the state lawmaker representing Bukuyum West constituency at the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Muhammad Tela.