The rave of terror operations in Niger State has taken a twist as bandits have mapped out other strategic plans by asking communities to pay N5m monthly or risks being killed.
A source close to communities like Iburo, Gamdu, Dnasa, Pyegbere, Dnasapa, Jhazhayidna, Goffan A and B, Chukuba and Galapy all in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger told newsmen that the bandits, through an alleged middle man who resides at Kusasu, held a meeting with the communities.
He said that the bandits, at the meeting, instructed members of the communities to contribute N5million every month if they need peace.
According to some online media outlets, the affected communities raised N3m in the month of December and allegedly gave all to the bandits. It was gathered that members of the communities sold their farm produce to raise the money.
However, the unsatisfied bandits have again issued memos to the communities to fully pay the N5m in January or face their wrath.
A source, with a masked identity, who claimed to have been at the negotiation meeting said, “The man who represented the Bandits told the communities that we must agree to pay the N5million every month if not there will be no peace.
“He told us that the bandits have agreed to stop attacking us if we can pay the N5million. We pleaded that the communities will be giving them N2million every month but they refused.
“Last month, that was December, we contributed N3million but they warned us that if the N5million is not complete this January, they will come and kill everybody.”
Members of these communities have continued to express worry saying that even if the matter is reported to security operatives and the government, nothing is being done.
As there are fears that the N5m will not be complete before the end of January, members of the communities have begun fleeing for their lives.
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