The latest threat has heightened tension in the community, with residents expressing fears that the terrorists could carry out fresh attacks if their demands are not met.
Residents who spoke on the development said the armed group entered the market recently and announced the ultimatum, further deepening concerns over the worsening security situation in the area.
The residents attributed the development to repeated attacks by terrorists and what they described as inadequate security response to previous incidents.
They said the armed groups had previously attacked communities, occupied or seized access to farmlands and rustled livestock belonging to villagers, with the situation making farming and other economic activities increasingly difficult.
One resident said the terrorists had become increasingly emboldened because previous attacks had not been met with what the community considered a decisive security response.
“They have attacked us several times, taken our farmlands and rustled our cattle. Now they are coming into the market openly to make demands from us,” the resident said.
Another resident said the latest ultimatum had generated widespread fear among residents, particularly because it came after a series of deadly attacks in the area.
The development follows a deadly attack on communities in Sauna Ward of Talata Mafara LGA in July, during which 22 farmers were reportedly killed while working on their farmlands.
The attackers were said to have moved in large numbers on motorcycles after crossing the Anka–Mayanchi highway and passing through several communities, including Ruwan Gora, Zauren Gora, Tulluwa, Unguwar Shanu, Tsangaya and Tundun Namali, before reaching Sauna.
Residents said the terrorists covered a distance of nearly 50 kilometres during the operation, moving through several communities before attacking their targets.
The July attack reportedly occurred in broad daylight, beginning around 2pm and continuing until about 5pm. The attackers were also said to have rustled an unspecified number of livestock during the operation.
Residents described the incident as further evidence of the growing confidence of terrorists operating in the area, particularly their ability to move through several communities and carry out attacks for hours.
A resident, while reacting to the deteriorating security situation, questioned the ability of security agencies to respond effectively to attacks carried out openly and during the day.
The latest demand has increased anxiety among residents already grappling with the loss of lives, farmland and livestock caused by years of insecurity.
Another resident said the community was now facing a situation where the same people who had been terrorised by the attackers were being compelled to provide money and livestock under threat of another assault.
“They are no longer operating secretly. They are coming into the community and giving people conditions. We are afraid that if nothing is done, they will return when the deadline expires,” the resident said.
The residents also expressed concern over the impact of the insecurity on agriculture, saying many villagers are increasingly reluctant to access their farms or move livestock through areas affected by terrorist activities.
They appealed to the Zamfara State Government and security agencies to urgently intervene and prevent a possible attack when the seven-day ultimatum expires.
The latest incident adds to the persistent security challenges confronting parts of Zamfara State, where communities continue to face attacks, kidnappings, killings, livestock rustling and restrictions on farming activities.
The Zamfara State Police Command was contacted for its reaction to the reported ultimatum and threat of an attack.
However, the command’s spokesperson, Yezid Abubakar, had not responded to calls and text messages sent to him as of the time of filing this report.
