Farmers in Niger State’s Atabo and Magama local government areas are living in fear following an alleged threat by bandits to prevent them from harvesting their crops unless they pay them tax.
According to a source, bandits attacked the Atabo community and kidnapped Alhaji Mairabo, the village head, and his younger brother, Usman.
According to the source, the village head was later released, but the younger brother is still being held by the abductors.
“They released the village head on Wednesday, and he was told to inform the family of his younger brother to pay the N7 million ransom,” the source added. They also informed him that if the ransom was not paid on time, they would refuse to allow us to harvest our crops during the dry season until we paid tax. Some people have fled their homes since Tuesday’s attack, as I speak with you.”
He urged the federal and Niger State governments to send security personnel to the area to assist farmers in harvesting their crops.
