(Photo used for illustrative purpose).
Residents of Torough community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State are in a race against time to raise N20 million to pay a tax imposed on them by bandits.
According to the report by Punch on Tuesday, the community has been threatened with a serious attack if the money is not paid in the next few days.
Sources in the community revealed that the local militias, led by a notorious leader known as Full Fire, have shared the amount among households, with each household expected to contribute N50,000.
Residents have resorted to selling their farm produce and livestock to raise the levy, while others have sought help from relatives outside the community.
The sources said that the community is living in fear, and no one dares report the matter to the security authorities, including the village head.
However, the chairman of the local government, Victor Iorzaa, confirmed the development and said he had reported the situation to the police and state security council.
Iorzaa identified Full Fire as the person behind the development, a notorious militia leader who has been terrorizing the area for five years.
He alleged that Full Fire has been working with others and has been responsible for several attacks in the area.
Iorzaa said, "The report is true, and the person behind it is Full Fire."
Speaking further, he said, "He is a bandit. If you remember, two weeks ago, the military launched an attack on his house.
"The people of the area are living in fear that the community is the most troubled place in the LG. If one is going to the village, don't be surprised that before you get there, the person will get there."