Farmers in Rafi, Shiroro and Munya local governments of Niger state are lamenting continued attacks by bandits on their homes and farmlands despite being forced to pay “dialogue fees”, they say run into millions.
The President of Lakpma Youth Forum in Shiroro local government area of the state, Babangida Zaharadeen Kudodo, alleged that many of the victims paid “dialogue fee” amounting to millions to be allowed to cultivate lands but still face constant attacks and intimidations.
He said, “They (bandits and terrorists) do come and ask for dialogue fees so that there would be a consensus between them and the villagers. They tax them certain amounts of money which they would pay to them so that they would be allowed to farm.
“The Lakpma axis is suffering from insecurity in Shiroro LGA. So, anybody seen farming now is definitely paying tax to the bandits or terrorists.”
He added that, “Farmers pay tax because they are out of options, because we all know how things have been very difficult for our people. Even when they run to IDP camps, how would they cope? People used to fetch free firewood, but they have now come to the town to buy firewood, and there is no money to buy it with the current cost of living in the country.
“So, they feel that if terrorists can tax them as much as ₦10m, ₦15m and even ₦20m, communities prefer to just go and gather the money and give them so that they would allow them access to their ancestral lands to continue with their farming activities.
“But despite that they pay taxes, that doesn’t stop the bandits and terrorists from attacking them, killing them and kidnapping others. So, maybe if one group had taxed them and they paid, another group would not know. So, other groups will still come and kidnap people and even kill them.”
A farmer in Shiroro, Salisu Baba, said, “Farming is the only occupation and means of livelihood that we have. And we are now hungry. All these humanitarian support people talk about cannot take us anywhere. We want to go back to our communities to engage in farming. We are hungry and impoverished in IDP camps; even our children are not well-fed. That is why when bandits ask for dialogue we do agree because we are eager to go back home. It is almost 10 years; we cannot go to our farms.”
A resident of Munya local government who spoke anonymously said, “One of the conditions the bandits gave was that they would allow residents access to their farms but that if the farmers see them passing to other places, they should give them cover. But our people have rejected the move.”
Another who also wished to remain anonymous echoed a similar sentiment saying “majority of us are in IDP camps in Erena, Gwada, Sarkin-Pawa and Kuta. Many of our relations are in captivity. We have completely lost access to farming.”
