Date: May 6, 2026 l By Reporter: Ebere Njoku
Fresh tension has erupted in parts of Katsina State Nigeria after armed terrorist known as bandits reportedly imposed new ₦10 million levies on rural communities despite ongoing peace agreements with local authorities.
According to security reports and residents’ accounts, communities that had previously entered into peace arrangements with armed groups are once again facing threats and extortion demands. Locals say the renewed levies have triggered fear and forced many residents to flee their homes over concerns of possible attacks.
The latest demands are reportedly linked to notorious bandit leader Isiya Kwashen Garwa, who has previously been associated with attacks and ransom-related activities in the region. Residents said the armed groups warned communities to comply with the payments or risk violent reprisals.
The development has intensified criticism of recent peace deals negotiated between authorities and armed groups in northwestern Nigeria. Earlier this year, controversy emerged after reports revealed that the Katsina State government had initiated steps to release dozens of suspected bandits as part of efforts to sustain the agreements.
Supporters of the peace initiatives argued that the agreements had helped secure the release of kidnapped victims and temporarily reduced violence in some areas. However, critics warned that negotiating with armed groups without fully dismantling their operational networks could embolden further criminal activity.
Community leaders say the fresh extortion demands demonstrate the fragility of the agreements and the continued vulnerability of rural populations. Many residents have reportedly abandoned farms and businesses, raising fears of worsening humanitarian and economic conditions in affected areas.
Banditry remains one of Nigeria’s most serious security challenges, particularly across the northwest, where armed groups have carried out mass kidnappings, village raids, and attacks on highways and schools. Security analysts continue to call for stronger coordination between federal and state authorities to address the root causes of the violence while improving protection for local communities.
As uncertainty grows in Katsina, attention is once again focused on whether negotiated peace arrangements can deliver lasting stability or whether tougher security measures will be required to contain the escalating crisis.