Notorious bandit King, identified as Sani Black, has made a bold and audacious demanded from 4 communities in Zamfara state . He allegedly demanded 150 kilogrammes of pure gold from four communities in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State as a “protection levy.”
The affected communities, Dada, Gidan Shaho, Marmaro, and Rimni, were issued the ultimatum in what marks a shift from the usual demands for cash or livestock.
The demand may be related to the inhabitants’ reported illegal gold mining activities, which have drawn the attention of armed organisations looking for other sources of income, according to local reports.
The demand probably originates from the perception that many residents are involved in mining, according to a youth leader who spoke on condition of anonymity.
According to the insider, “he thinks a number of them have access to gold.”
Another resident added, “The terrorists know we no longer have money or animals to give them, so they’re asking for gold, which they believe we can provide.”
For over a decade, Zamfara and other parts of Nigeria’s northwest have faced persistent insecurity, with armed groups carrying out killings, abductions, and extortion. Some factions have seized control of mining sites to exploit gold directly.
Residents in the affected communities are reportedly discussing how to either gather the gold or negotiate a reduction in the quantity demanded.
Zamfara and other northwest Nigerian regions have had ongoing violence for more than ten years, with armed groups committing extortion, kidnappings, and murders. Some groups have taken over mining locations in order to directly profit from gold.
People in the impacted areas are apparently talking about ways to either collect the gold or work out a lower demand.
