Bandits have reportedly begun enforcing tax and levy collections on the residents of Torough and neighboring communities in Ukum County (Local Government Area) of Benue State.
A total of N20 million (U.S.$13,200) is being demanded from the community every month. The N20 million tax is being shouldered by the households in the community. Each household must pay N50,000 (U.S.$33), while traditional compounds with many households are levied N1 million.
Daily Trust reported that as of Tuesday, panicked residents were already scrambling to sell their crops and meager belongings just to offset their individual levy to collectively reach the N20 million target. The report did not disclose when the demand was made.
Victor Iorzaa, the Caretaker Chairman of Ukum LGA, confirmed the reports. He said that a local militia group, led by a bandit known as “Full Fire”, has threatened a violent attack if the extortionate sum is not paid within a short timeframe. “Full Fire” has been working with armed herdsmen to attack Tiv people and has been terrorizing Ukum County for the past five years.
“When the news about the N20 million came to us, nobody dared to report it to security agencies. You and your family will be eliminated in broad daylight. We are in bondage. The security operatives too are helpless,” a resident told Daily Trust in anonymity, noting that the levy was imposed across Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala counties.
This strong-arm tactic by bandits exemplifies the escalating security crisis in Benue State. The Northcentral State has long been plagued by banditry, kidnappings, and bloody clashes between radical Muslim extremist herders and mostly Christian farmers. The residents of Torough are now trapped in a nightmare, forced to choose between bankrolling criminals or facing brutal violence.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
