Residents of Moriki, a town in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, are living in fear of attack by terrorist groups after the deadline for the payment of their protection levy elapsed on Monday.
Bello Turji, a terrorism kingpin in Zamfara, one of Nigeria’s troubled North-west states, imposed the N30 million levy on the residents for their protection against attacks.
A resident, Isyaku Moriki, told Newsmen on Monday that Mr Turji claimed that Moriki residents colluded with security agents in the town and killed cows belonging to his bandits.
He said the community was yet to raise the amount as of Monday morning, which was the deadline for the payment of the levy imposed by Mr Turji two weeks ago.
A lawyer, Bulama Bukarti, in a post on his verified X handle, said Mr Turji earlier imposed N50 million but the residents pleaded with him to reduce it to N30 million.
According to him, each family head is required to contribute N10,000, while unmarried adults must pay N2,000. Despite the commandant’s advice not to pay and his promise never to harm Turji’s animals again, the people remain doubtful.
