The bandits were said to have demanded the money after a reconciliation meeting was held between the people of the affected communities and the representatives of the gang of bandits.
Some bandits have reportedly demanded N10 million from some communities under their control in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State to stop attacks.
The bandits were said to have demanded the money after a reconciliation meeting was held between the people of the affected communities and the representatives of the gang of bandits.
The meeting was reportedly held in a village called Kuryar Kware.
However, a source told Daily Post that the bandits sought a reconciliation meeting with the people of Yanbuki and its neighbouring communities in Zurmi.
The source also said there was a recent attack by the bandits in the Yanbuki community last Saturday during which more than 35 persons were kidnapped.
The meeting was reportedly attended by many residents of Yanbuki, and its neighbouring communities.
The source who is from Yanbuki, said “after realising that all effort to get the government and security agencies to secure the axis failed, we had no option but to accept the reconciliation meeting, and they have demanded the payment of N10 million fine for peace to reign."
The source said that the affected communities had agreed to pay the sum for their areas to be secure.
He identified the communities as Yanbuki, Tsaka, Maduba, Askawa, Ganda Samu, Dillin Fulani and Kafan Dutsi, saying their residents were part of the meeting.
The bandits were said to have demanded that the residents of Yanbuki village pay a ransom for the 68 persons that were kidnapped frоm the village.
“On this particular issue of payment of ransom, even the communities' members and the bandits held meeting again on Wednesday but could not reach an agreement,” the source said.
However, a man from the village who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said he was asked to pay N1,000.
The villager said residents of Yanbuki village were levied individually.
But the state information commissioner, Hon. Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, said the state government was not aware that a fine was imposed on the people of Yanbuki community.
He, however, assured that he would investigate the substance of the claim.
He admitted that the government was aware of the plight of Yanbuki community members regarding the incessant attacks on the village by the bandits.
“Even recently, security agencies came to their rescue on the threats they are undergoing. But we are not aware that they were asked to pay a N10 million fine. We cannot confirm the substance of the claim now until we investigate it.
“On the allegation that the people of Yanbuki village were neglected by the government despite the threat, they are facing from the bandits, did they inform you that recently the vehicles of security agencies were attacked and set ablaze by the bandits, so if they are neglected, how did security vehicles get burnt? I think that issue of saying they were abandoned by the government does not arise.”