Bandits Halt Farming Activities in 26 Sokoto Communities, Demand Fresh Levies from Residents

Bandits Halt Farming Activities in 26 Sokoto Communities, Demand Fresh Levies from Residents.

Fresh concerns have emerged over food production and rural security in Sokoto State following reports that armed bandits have imposed new levies on at least 26 farming communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, preventing residents from accessing their farmlands at the onset of the wet season.

Residents of the affected communities said the armed groups issued a three-day ultimatum, ordering farmers to stay away from their farms until payments demanded from the villages were fully settled.

The affected communities reportedly include Garin Faji, Cina Barka, Zululu, Dan Gari, Garin Maigayya, Gardi, Katsira, Garin Baushe, Sulmawa, Zakin Ganga, Dan Kware, Garje, Dogon Faru, Son Allah, Garin Galadima, Kafchi, Matabaya, Garin Labo, Zango, Kaifin Aska, Tsauna Dogo, Tudun Wada, Rambadawa, Ga Itace, Nasarawa and Garin Idi.

According to residents, the bandits warned that anyone found carrying out farming activities during the period would risk being abducted or killed.

Sources familiar with the situation said villagers have already begun raising funds to meet the demands in order to resume farming operations and avoid further attacks.

A resident of Zululu village said many farmers preparing for the planting season were forced to suspend activities after receiving information about the restrictions.

According to him, the armed groups justified the levies by claiming that security operations in the area had led to the loss of some of their livestock, insisting that farming activities would remain suspended until the payments were made.

Community leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders are reportedly expected to engage with representatives of the armed groups to determine the amount each community will contribute before farming activities can resume.

Residents disclosed that the payment of levies has become a recurring challenge in several communities affected by insecurity across the area. In some cases, payments are reportedly demanded before planting, during the growing season and again before harvest.

Community sources alleged that villages are often required to raise between N4 million and N6 million, with individual households contributing according to their financial capacity.

One resident explained that some families contribute between N1,500 and N2,000, while larger farming households may be required to contribute as much as N5,000 to meet the community targets.

The situation reportedly escalated in Garin Idi village where approximately 20 people were abducted during a recent attack. Residents alleged that community leaders were later instructed to raise N600,000 before the victims could regain their freedom.

Sources said the amount was eventually raised, leading to the release of some of the abductees, although several others were reportedly still being held captive at the time of reporting.

Beyond monetary demands, residents also alleged that farmers are frequently compelled to surrender part of their harvest to armed groups before they are allowed to store produce after the farming season.

The development comes at a critical period when many farmers across northern Nigeria are preparing for planting activities following the commencement of seasonal rains.

When contacted, the Sokoto State Police Command said it had not received any official report regarding the incident. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, noted that communities sometimes fail to report such developments to security agencies.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Sokoto State Government were unsuccessful at the time of filing the report.

Commodity.ng Insight / Digest

The situation in Sabon Birni highlights a growing but often underreported threat to Nigeria’s food security: the emergence of informal taxation systems imposed by armed groups on farming communities.

While much attention is usually focused on attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling, the economic consequences of these levies can be equally damaging. When farmers are forced to pay millions of naira before planting, during cultivation, and before harvest, production costs increase significantly. These costs are ultimately transferred to consumers through higher food prices.

The timing is particularly concerning because the affected communities are entering the peak planting season. Any disruption to planting activities could reduce cultivated acreage, lower harvest volumes later in the year, and further tighten food supplies.

The impact extends beyond Sokoto State. Northern Nigeria remains a major producer of millet, sorghum, maize, cowpea and livestock. Reduced production from insecurity-prone areas contributes to national food shortages and increases pressure on commodity prices across the country.

What This Means for Commodity Markets

• Delayed planting could reduce output of key staple crops during the 2026 harvest season.
• Farmers may reduce cultivation areas due to security concerns, resulting in lower overall production.
• Additional unofficial levies increase production costs and reduce farmers’ profitability.
• Food inflation could remain elevated if insecurity continues to disrupt farming activities in major producing regions.
• Investors and agribusinesses may become reluctant to expand operations in affected areas without stronger security guarantees.

Bottom Line

Security remains one of the biggest factors influencing agricultural productivity in Nigeria. While government interventions continue to focus on inputs, mechanisation and financing, sustained food security will remain difficult to achieve if farmers cannot safely access their land. The Sokoto situation underscores the direct link between rural security, agricultural production and food prices in Nigeria’s commodity markets.