Niger: Bandits Threaten To Begin Taxing Farmers Before Harvest

Bandits have threatened to begin taxing farmers in the Atabo and Magama local government areas of Niger State, adding that they would stop them from harvesting their crops if they refuse.

According to a source, the bandits launched an attack on Atabo community and kidnapped the village head Alhaji Mairabo and his younger brother popularly called Usman.

It was disclosed that Mairabo was later released while his sibling remains in captivity.

“They released the village head on Wednesday and he was told to inform the family of his younger brother to pay N7 million ransom.

"They also told him that if this ransom was not paid on time, they would not allow us to harvest our crops this dry season until we pay tax.

"As I speak with you, some people have fled their homes since Tuesday’s attack”, the source shared.

Speaking further, he pleaded with the federal and Niger State Governments to aid the area with security operatives to harvest their crops.