By Mohammed Babangida
Terrorists operating in Zamfara State, north west Nigeria, have abducted more than 100 residents over the failure of the villagers to pay a N110 million protection levy.
The terrorists that carried out the attack are believed to be loyal to a terror kingpin, Damina, who operates around the Dansadau region.
Premium Times gathered that those abducted were from Mutunji, Unguwar Kawo, Kwantar Dutsi and Sabon Garin Mahuta communities.
A local source told BBC Hausa that Damina led a gang of terrorists on motorcycles and surrounded the community a few minutes after the dusk prayer at 8 pm.
“We were sitting in a place called Yar Kasuwa after the Isha’i prayers when the terrorists stormed the community. They surrounded the community while others drove into the community centre. We began running but it was already too late. They marched people into the forest,” he said.
Men, women and children were abducted.
Unknown to the residents of Mutunji, other neighbouring communities were being raided at the same time.
The source said Damina attacked Mutunji because the village failed to give him N50 million he asked them to pay as compensation for “informing soldiers” about the terrorists’ movements.
Damina gave the residents a week to gather the money but the source said they couldn’t raise it.
“We were trying to gather the money, reaching out to people, when Damina decided to strike.
Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar did not respond to calls and SMSes sent to him about the attack.
The north west sub-region has been battling terrorists, also called bandits, for over a decade.
The terrorists have killed and abducted thousands of people and tens of thousands of others in the region have been displaced.
The terrorists primarily target schools, religious centres, travellers and rural communities.
