Bandit Leader Reportedly Imposes ₦50 Million Levy on Katsina Communities

November 24, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke

A notorious armed group led by Mustapha Babaro has reportedly imposed a ₦50 million levy on residents of Yargoje and surrounding communities in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

According to multiple local sources, the bandit leader issued the demand earlier this week, warning that any community that fails to pay the amount within the stated deadline would face unspecified consequences. Residents say the announcement has heightened fear across the affected villages, many of which have experienced repeated security threats in recent months.

The development comes despite recent peace outreach efforts in the area. Kankara LGA has held at least two peace meetings with armed groups within the last three months, aimed at reducing attacks, kidnappings, and extortion targeting rural communities. It is not yet clear how the latest levy demand aligns with those efforts or whether the interventions have had any measurable impact on security.

Local authorities have not released an official statement on the reported levy. Security analysts say the incident raises new questions about the effectiveness of ongoing peace initiatives in Katsina State and the ability of communities to rely on such agreements for protection.

Further updates are expected as the situation develops.