Bandits have occupied 102 communities in Zamfara State, effectively halting farming activities. Known for its agricultural output, Zamfara State has seen its farming industry collapse due to the rise of banditry that began in 2009 and escalated in 2012. This violence has made farming nearly impossible, particularly in rural areas.
Residents of the state, over 90% of whom depend on agriculture, have been forced to abandon their farms. More than 70% of rural dwellers have fled to urban areas to escape bandit attacks. Those who remain are often compelled to pay levies or taxes to the bandits. Over 200 villages are now deserted due to repeated assaults and demands from these criminals.
Mallam Garba Musa, a large-scale farmer in the Dada community of Zurmi LGA, noted that many farmlands have become grazing areas for the bandits’ animals. Investigations reveal that numerous villages across several local governments are heavily impacted.
In Zurmi Local Government, villages like Gidan Labbo, Tsakauna, Dogon-hako, and several others have been abandoned. In Tsafe Local Government, areas such as Munhaye, Dutsin Kura, and Kekawa are under bandit control. Maru Local Government has seen villages like Madada, Bingi, and Kabaro deserted. Anka Local Government’s villages, including Rafin Danya and Barayar Zaki, are also affected. Maradun, Talata-Mafara, and Gusau Local Governments have numerous villages similarly impacted.
Alhaji Abubakar Nakwada, Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, stated that Governor Dauda Lawal is determined to ensure farmers can return to their fields this season. The state government has coordinated with security agents to address the bandit threat. Nakwada emphasized that the government will not negotiate with the bandits but will instead confront them to restore security in the state.
