Fear grips Kebbi farming communities as armed groups demand a ₦40 million levy.

Bandits have reportedly demanded N40 million from farmers in several communities within Bena, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State before allowing them to access their farmlands for the start of this year’s farming season.

The claim was made on Saturday by security analyst and crisis journalist Bakastine, who posted on X about the ongoing vulnerability of rural communities in the state.

The demand has caused panic among residents, leading some families to leave their communities out of fear of possible attacks, while others are unsure whether they will return to their fields.

Sources from the affected areas say the situation has heightened tension in an area already beset by recurring insecurity and a limited security presence.

Observers note that the incident reflects a growing trend in parts of the North‑West where armed groups impose levies on rural communities before farming activities can begin, a practice locally referred to as “taxation” or “peace arrangements.”

Daily Post reports that such arrangements have not produced lasting peace; instead, they have deepened cycles of intimidation, fear and forced compliance in the affected communities.

Security analysts warn that continued payment of these levies could embolden armed groups and expand their influence over rural settlements, further threatening agricultural productivity and food security.

Bakastine also questioned the sustainability of current security approaches, expressing concern over who truly controls the affected communities.

“If farmers must pay bandits before cultivating their land, who truly controls these communities?” he asked.

No official statement has yet been issued by security operatives, leaving the fate of the affected communities uncertain.