Farmers Under Siege as Bandits Demand 'Harvest Taxes'
Farmers across parts of Zamfara and Sokoto States are sounding the alarm over a disturbing new trend: armed bandits imposing levies and strict conditions on communities during the crucial harvest season. Despite favourable rainfall that promised good yields, widespread attacks have transformed farmlands into dangerous conflict zones. This situation is creating constant fear among the agricultural community and poses a severe threat to food supplies throughout northern Nigeria.
Parallel Authority and Forced Payments
Villagers report that criminal groups have introduced what they term "harvest taxes," demanding payments either in cash or a share of the agricultural produce before allowing farmers to access or harvest their own fields. In some locations, these armed groups allegedly set up checkpoints around villages, systematically collect the illegal levies, and punish anyone unable to meet their demands. "We are living under a parallel authority," revealed an anonymous farmer from Tsafe Local Government Area in Zamfara State. "They gave us a timetable on when to go to our farms, how much to pay, and they also take a portion of our grains. Those who refuse are attacked or abducted."
This coercive environment has forced numerous farmers to abandon their fields, even as their crops are ready for harvest. Reports from the Isa, Sabon Birni, and Goronyo areas of Sokoto State paint a similar picture, with some communities now deserted, farmlands left unattended, and local markets experiencing significant shortages. Consequently, food prices continue their upward trend.
Abductions and Community Responses
In a related and alarming incident, more than 16 community members from Sabo village in the Murai ward of Talata Mafara Local Government Area, Zamfara State, were reportedly kidnapped by bandits terrorizing the state. According to a villager named Muhammad Usman, this operation was carried out on Wednesday, November 6, 2025.
The attack on the neighbouring Sado community occurred despite heavy surveillance by local vigilantes. "The bandits entered the community without notice, the vigilantes worked hard to repel the attack, but the terrorists overpowered them, considering the large number of assailants who stormed the village," explained Aliyu Saidu, the Sado district head. In a proactive move, youths from Gidan Matan Aure village have since mobilized to protect their own community from a potential attack.
Appeals for Government Intervention
Overwhelmed by the security challenges, community members are urgently calling on the Federal Government to intervene. They are pleading for sustained military patrols to secure rural areas, especially during this peak harvesting period. "Without protection, our efforts are wasted. We may face famine despite having good rains," warned a farmer from Bakura in Zamfara State.
Farmers' associations and local leaders are joining this chorus of appeals, asking the Federal Government and security chiefs to deploy troops to hotspot areas. Residents now live in fear, not of crop failure, but of armed groups whose levies and violence are worsening insecurity and crippling agricultural productivity across the region.
