Residents of nine communities in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been ordered to pay bandits N24 million levy to avoid being attacked.
The affected communities are Yangalma, Tungar Gebe, Wawan Iccen Ibrahim, Wawan Iccen Salihu, Galle, Nannarki, Ruwan Kura, Gangara and Gaude.
It was gathered that the bandits ordered the head of each of the nine communities to pay between N500,000 and N5 million each.
The demand was said to be contained in letters delivered to the community heads by some kidnap victims that recently regained freedom.
In the letters, the bandits reportedly threatened to massacre all residents of the nine communities if their demands were not met.
Residents told newsmen on Monday that they have started to mobilising to raise the funds so as to pay the bandits.
The Zamfara State Police Command has not confirmed the report as efforts made to reach the police spokesperson in the state were unsuccessful.