Zamfara communities given two weeks to pay N200m levy to notorious bandit or face attack

PUNCH

A notorious bandit leader, Dantsito, has given communities in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State two weeks to raise and pay him a levy of N200m, failing which he would attack the communities and burn houses.

According to an indigene of the area, Mohammed Rabo, who spoke to The PUNCH, residents of the communities are in fear, with some already fleeing.

Rabo said Dantsito demanded the levy be paid either in cash or food items.

Dantsito, whose name means “the little” in English, is the younger brother of the notorious bandit kingpin, Ado Aliero.

Both siblings, natives of the area, have long terrorised communities from their hideout in the forests near the Gusau-Funtuwa Road.

Each community has been assigned a specific amount, with threats to burn down villages if payment is not made within two weeks.

Some of the affected communities face levies as high as N14m in Dankolo, N15m in Sungawa, and N20m in Kunchin Kalgo, while others have been ordered to pay amounts ranging between N2.5m and N10m.

Rabo disclosed that some residents had begun making partial payments, while those unable to afford cash are providing foodstuffs like beans and maize.