By Desire Emmanuel
In order to live in peace and avoid being attacked by bandits in some communities in Niger State, each married man used to contribute money totalling N7 million which they give to the bandits every month, it was gathered on Thursday, November 13.
Highly impeccable source close to government circle in the state disclosed this to Impact Nigeria News Online, saying about four communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state are constantly under harassment from the bandits who demand for the money.
The source said the communities are Makera, Galapai, Chukuba and Chulamba, adding that after contributing the money, the leader of one of the communities, Alhaji Hassan Yahaya, used to take it to the bandits.
The source said since they have been contributing the money, there has been relative peace in the communities while those who are farmers now go to their farms without any molestation.
The source said: “Before they decided on this idea, no farmer dare go to the farm and some of their crops got spoilt over their inability to harvest. However, since they have been contributing the money, they continue to go to the farms and harvest their produce without any disturbance.
“The arrangement is that each married man in those communities is levied and after the money has been realised, the head of one of the communities would take the money to them in the bush. This idea has worked well as the residents no longer fear over bandits attacks.”
When asked if the state government is aware of this ‘self help’ by the communities, the source said since the government seems helpless about the incessant attacks by bandits, it is better for them to find workable solutions to the menace.
“Is it not better to contribute money and give them in order not to be attacked and killed instead of waiting for government to act which may not actually yield any result? The communities have been doing this and they are sleeping with two eyes closed, that I think is better for them,” the source added.
