TERRORISTS who invaded the open market in community in Talata Mafara Local Council of Zamfara State have given residents seven days to provide N50million, 50 cattle and 50 sheep or face another attack.
The threat reportedly followed repeated failure of government and security agencies to forestall attacks on the community.
According to one resident: “This is happening because the government and security agencies have failed to stop these terrorists from attacking us. They have come here several times, and nothing has been done to prevent them from coming back,” recalling that the terrorists had attacked the area, seized farmlands and rustled cattle belonging to villagers, with little or no resistance from security forces.
Another resident added: “They have taken our farmlands and rustled our cattle, but we have not seen any serious response from the security agencies.
“Now, they have become so bold that they can enter our market and give us a deadline to bring them money and animals.
“They are now behaving as if they own this community. They attack us, take our farms and animals, and leave without being stopped. That is why they have the confidence to come back and tell us what we must pay.”
“They have become very boastful because every time they attack, there is no decisive response. They are now daring the people openly, and that is why this latest demand is frightening,” another resident stated.
The attackers, reportedly moving in large numbers on motorcycles, crossed the Anka-Mayanchi highway and passed through several villages, including Ruwan Gora, Zauren Gora, Tulluwa, Unguwar Shanu, Tsangaya and Tundun Namali, covering almost 50 kilometres, before reaching Sauna.
One resident expressed frustration over the worsening insecurity, saying: “We shouldn’t continue like this. They have been attacking us, taking our farms and cattle, and nobody has stopped them. Now they are coming back to demand N50million, 50 cows and 50 sheep from the same people they have been terrorising.”
He questioned why security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), had not been able to respond, despite the attack occurring in broad daylight for several hours, reckoning that the latest action goes beyond a conventional ransom demand, as the armed groups appear to be attempting to establish control over the community and its economic activities.
“They are no longer hiding; they are coming into the market openly and giving us orders. They know that nothing serious has happened to them after the previous attacks, and that is why they are becoming more daring,” another resident said.
They appealled to the state government and security agencies to urgently intervene before it is too late, with one of them noting: “If nothing is done now, we are afraid that they will carry out another attack when the seven days are over.”
Recall a deadly attack on communities in Sauna Ward of the council in July led to the killed 22 farmers working on their farmlands.
The state Police Command was yet comment on the ultimatum and threat of another attack at press time.
