As the folks of Sokoto State, particularly these in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, proceed to battle insecurity, a gaggle of execs inside the native authorities, Gobir Development Association, has revealed that the folks of the group paid over N160bn in levies and ransom funds to bandits within the space.
According to a press assertion signed by the chairman of the group, Idris Alhassan Gatawa, and its secretary, Professor Aliyu Gobir, and made obtainable to newsmen within the state on Saturday, it was mentioned that greater than two billion naira was additionally misplaced to armed bandits.
The group, whereas reacting to the current killing of their District Head, Muhammad Bawa, who was killed by bandits following his abduction alongside Sabon Birni – Sokoto Road after his official engagement within the state capital, condemned the rising case of insecurity within the space.
The group mentioned, “Over sixty billion naira has been paid as ransom, over 100 billion naira paid as imposed levies by the bandits, and greater than two billion naira misplaced to armed bandits.
“Likewise, about 600 thousand heads of cattle and 5 million sheep and goats had been rustled inside the final 5 years.
“About two-thirds of the arable farmlands are inaccessible due to the fear of being killed or kidnapped by bandits, causing severe economic losses, hardship in terms of food and nutrition security, and psychological and social imbalances.”
They, nonetheless, appealed to the federal government in any respect ranges to behave swiftly to cease the killings, kidnappings, displacement of individuals, and livestock rustling to revive peace and stability in all areas affected by banditry.