Armed groups in Sokoto State have issued a three-day ultimatum to over two dozen agricultural communities, banning residents from accessing their farmlands until newly imposed levies are settled.

According to local sources, the restrictions affect numerous villages, including Garin Faji, Cina Barka, Zululu, Dan Gari, Garin Maigayya, and several others within the region. The armed actors have reportedly threatened lethal violence or abduction against any individuals found farming before the financial demands are met.

Residents from the affected areas indicate that communities have already begun mobilizing funds to comply with the directives. Local leaders, including traditional rulers and Islamic clerics, are expected to interface with the groups to negotiate the specific financial assessments for each village. These levies reportedly range between N4 million and N6 million per community, with individual household contributions determined by community population and economic capacity.

The practice of extorting agricultural communities has reportedly become a systemic issue in the region. Locals report being forced to pay multiple levies throughout the agricultural cycle, including prior to planting, during the cultivation season, and ahead of the harvest period. Additionally, farmers are frequently compelled to surrender a portion of their harvested crops to ensure the safety of their remaining yields.

The financial pressure is frequently enforced through violence. In a recent incident in Garin Idi, armed individuals abducted approximately 20 residents to expedite payment. The victims were subsequently released following a payment of N600,000, though local sources state that at least five other individuals remain in captivity pending the settlement of the broader community levy.

When reached for comment, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Sokoto State Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, stated that the command had not received official reports regarding the ultimatum or the forced levies, noting that affected communities frequently underreport such incidents to law enforcement.

Inquiries directed to the Sokoto State Government, including the governor's spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa, and the Special Adviser on Security Matters, Col. Ahmad Usman (rtd), have not yet received a response.