Terror Leader Reduces Levy Over Communities’ Inability To Raise Initial Fee

Following the inability of residents of some communities to pay the full sum levied against them by a terrorist group to prevent future attacks, the leader, Dullu Kachalla, waived the outstanding fee on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

Kachalla, 33, and his group had initially billed seven communities, in Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria, the sum of N40 million naira as payment to prevent them from being attacked. Zamfara is one of the states that have consistently suffered attacks from terrorists in Nigeria and communities are constantly threatened by terror groups to pay levies for a temporary exemption from attacks. 

Following Kachalla’s demand, the residents of Birnin-Yero, Jangeru, Tubali, Kware, and other neighbouring villages of Shinkafi Local Government Area (LGA) in the state, raised some money but were unable to meet up with the amount requested.  

Jabir Alhazai, a resident of Shinkafi, told HumAngle that, “although the terror gang led by Kachalla earlier taxed seven villages to pay the sum of N40 Million, they later agreed to accept the slashed sum of N9 million after due negotiation with the elders of the area.” 

He added that the villages were able to raise a contribution sum of N5 million in cash as part payment which they presented to delegates of the terror group on Wednesday. 

Another resident, Alhazai said “we dropped the money with the bandits in cash, seeking for waiver of the remaining N4 million balance. The terror leader told us that since we are too poor to complete the balance, we should pay an additional N1 million to balance the ledger. He then waived the remaining N3 million for peace.” 

Birnin-Yero, Jangeru, Maniya, Tubali, and Kware and other neighbouring villages in Shinkafi LGA, have been in constant fear and anxiety due to numerous attacks by terrorists. 

Mansur Mamman, a resident of Birnin-Yero said, “we have been reporting to the authorities and security agencies for emergency response against the precedences led by these terrorist groups but nothing to show.”

“It was because of this intense fear of the terrorist attacks occasioned by killing, kidnapping, rustling and other wanton acts that we decided to contribute the money to the group to avoid the unexpected,” Mamman added. 

Meanwhile, another terrorist group launched an attack on Zargado community, killing four residents with three injured and 28 others kidnapped around 11:45 p.m. WAT on Wednesday. The attackers moved the abducted residents of the area to Dajin Makindi in Maru LGA of Zamfara State.

A similar attack was also launched in Tureta metropolis, one of the lLGA headquarters in Sokoto state. The attack also affected the Dawa-da-Yaro and Tafkin Kaiwa villages of the area.  It is not certain whether there was loss of life or injury at the time this report was filed.