Niger, Mali, Libya Jihadists Join Local Bandits To Impose Tax On Farmers, House Member Reveals

Local bandits and jihadists from Niger, Mali and Libya have reportedly imposed tax on farmers, Sani Yakubu, a member representing the Tangaza/Gudu federal constituency of Sokoto State in the House of Representatives, disclosed on Wednesday.

Yakubu explained that the Tangaza/Gudu federal constituency was surrounded by two forests--Tsauna, which stretched over to Gwadabawa, Illela and Niger Republic and Kuyan Bana, which extended to Gudu and Niger Republic, according to media outlet Leadership.

He noted the jihadists in those areas have joined hands with the local bandits to make the lives of farmers difficult.

"The two forests house two terrorist groups, the Lakurawa who claimed to be jihadists from Niger, Mali and Libya and the local bandits terrorizing the area," Yakubu said, Vanguard reported.

"The two used to be sworn enemies, but have now joined forces, making it more difficult for the deployed security operatives to address the insecurity in the general area. After the deadly act, the terrorist launched another attack to prevent people from giving their loved ones a befitting burial."

Yakubu went on to explain that people living in these areas were mainly farmers and cattle rearers, and added the terrorists wanted to stop farming activities this year, if the natives refused to pay the imposed tax.

The official explained that if this threat continues, it will eventually affect the national food security.

Considering the recent tax imposed, the House asked the military to send more manpower and arms to fight the criminals. Furthermore, the House has also urged the National Emergency Management Agency to help victims with relief materials following attacks.

The member representing Ideato South and North seat federal constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, also reflected on the new development and said this was worrisome as it threatened Nigeria's sovereignty as a country.

"Our security agencies need to re-strategize to flush out criminals and terrorists," Ugochinyere said. "With the resolve and commitment of the present administration, I have no doubt that soon, they will be defeated."

Nigeria's Chief of Army staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, said amnesty was out of question for the criminals.

Lagbaja also called the amnesty programme for bandits and terrorists in Zamfara and other states a failure, noting it achieved nothing in the past. Instead, it allowed criminals to join hands and attack citizens.

"We also have the issue of the amnesty programme that has been instituted, and which has failed not only in Zamfara, but so many other states of the north-west," Lagbaja explained. "So, I think we need to look at this issue of the amnesty programme because the criminal elements have proven to be incorrigible."

The chief urged the government to release funds in order to boost troops' operations in the state, adding "we will not have a situation where some people constitute themselves into outlaws and just go into communities and kill children and defense-less women."

"By working on this with the state government and other critical stakeholders, we can eliminate these outlaws and reduce the insecurities by a significant percentage," he said.