Bandits impose N20m harvest levy on Katsina farmers

Farmers in Gatakawa village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State are facing fresh hardship as bandits reportedly imposed a ₦20 million levy on the community before allowing them to access their farmlands for harvest.

The development was revealed on Wednesday by Bakatsine, a journalist who covers security issues across northern Nigeria.

According to him, the armed gangs have threatened to block farmers from entering their farms unless the demanded payment is made.

Bakatsine criticised the ongoing peace agreement between bandits and rural communities, saying it has worsened the situation for farmers and intensified fear across the region.

He wrote on X, “BREAKING: Bandits have reportedly imposed a ₦20 million levy on Gatakawa farmers before allowing them to harvest their crops, a chilling sign of deepening insecurity in the North West.

“For many farmers in Kankara LGA, the so-called peace deal has only brought deeper fear. Families now sell their belongings or borrow money just to pay bandits before entering their farmlands.

“Beyond the human toll, such extortion threatens food security and erodes public confidence in the authorities’ ability to protect rural communities.”