By Palang Paul
Residents of Kwaren Ganuwa and several surrounding villages in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State Nigeria have raised fresh concerns over escalating killings, abductions, and the imposition of heavy “taxes” by armed bandits allegedly loyal to notorious warlord Ado Aleru.
According to information obtained from residents who plead anonymity, the armed groups have tightened their control over dozens of rural settlements, preventing farmers from accessing their farmlands and enforcing crippling levies on already impoverished households.
Sources say that anyone attempting to go to the farm or move between neighbouring communities risks being abducted or killed, a situation that has paralysed agricultural activities and forced families to flee their homes.
Aleru’s top lieutenants—identified as Alti, Abu Boss, and Isah—are reportedly spearheading the extortion, with villagers describing the payments as “taxes for survival.”
Several communities have received outrageous financial demands:
Bawa Ganga — ₦20 million
Gwanja & Gidan Isuhu — ₦4 million each
Matseri — ₦3.5 million
Other villages, including Kauyen Jatau, Yar Giwa, Musawar Kalgo, Musawar Dunu, Gidan Barga, Dan Gulbi, Gidan Uda, Ruguza, Katsage, Mai Rai-Rai, Gidan Sakau, Warawar Dan Gurji, Kan Biri, Gidan Gizau, Warawar Nabu and Marke Babba, were each asked to pay between ₦1 million and ₦2 million.
“They kill or abduct anyone who goes to the farm. We are living in fear,” a resident of Kwaren Ganuwa told raises alarm. “If you don’t pay what they demand, they will come and attack the entire village.”
The relentless extortion has worsened the security situation in Tsafe, one of Zamfara’s most terrorised local government areas amid the persistent crisis of rural banditry in the Northwest.
Despite repeated military operations and assurances from state and federal governments, residents say the attacks have continued, with security personnel often failing to respond to distress calls.
Community leaders are appealing to authorities to intervene urgently to prevent further loss of lives and mass displacement.
The government needs to act now. People are suffering, and we have nowhere else to go,” a village leader lamented.
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