Residents of Torough community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State are facing dire circumstances as they scramble to raise a N20 million tax imposed by bandits, News About Nigeria reports.
The bandits have threatened serious attacks on the community if the money is not paid within the next few days.
Sources within the community revealed that households have been instructed to contribute N50,000 each to meet the bandits’ demand.
Fearful for their lives, residents are selling their farm produce and livestock, while others are reaching out to relatives for financial help to avoid the impending threat.
“Already, the money has been shared according to household, but the least amount is N50,000,” one resident said under the condition of anonymity.
“Some have started disposing of their farm produce and livestock to raise the levy, while others have contacted their relatives outside to raise the levy so as to avert the attack of the bandits.”
The community members, including the village head, are too frightened to report the matter to authorities for fear of angering the bandits.
Ukum LGA has become a hotspot for criminal activities, including kidnappings and killings.
Prominent figures, such as the state Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Matthew Abo, have previously been kidnapped in the area.
The local government chairman, Victor Iorzaa, confirmed the situation, identifying a notorious militia leader known as Full Fire as the mastermind behind the demand.
Iorzaa explained that Full Fire has been terrorising the area for the past five years, often collaborating with Fulani herdsmen to launch attacks.
“The report is true, and the person behind it is Full Fire. He was the person that connived with Fulani recently to attack our people; he has been working with Fulani people and terrorising the area for the past five years,” Iorzaa said.
“I have reported the matter to the police and also the state security council.”
Despite the dire situation, the state police public relations officer, SP Catherine Anene, stated that the incident had not been reported to the police command.
Meanwhile, the Security Adviser to the Governor, Joseph Har, downplayed the bandits’ influence, stating that bandits were on the run in the state and could not afford to impose such a tax.
“The issue of this illegal levy has become a common practice with bandits everywhere worldwide because they use it to survive. However, only an irresponsible government will fold its hands to allow that callous thing to happen,” Har said.
Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia’s administration has been commended for its efforts to combat crime in the state.
Local government chairman Iorzaa also praised security operatives for their ongoing efforts to curtail the militias’ activities, though the residents of Torough continue to live in fear of potential attacks.
