Give us gold or face assaults – Bandit chief to Zamfara mining communities

A notorious bandit leader, identified as Sani Black, has reportedly 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.

Local sources suggest the demand may be linked to the residents’ alleged involvement in illegal gold mining, which has increasingly attracted the attention of armed groups seeking alternative revenue sources.

A youth leader, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, said the demand likely stems from the belief that many locals are engaged in mining. “He believes several of them have access to gold,” the source said.

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.