Armed bandits have placed a onemillion naira levy on residents of Akata village in Batsari Local GovernmentArea of Katsina state to escape attack. It was reported that already thevillagers have started levying each community member 1,500 naira to pay thelevy. Akata village is among several others in Batsari at the mercy of bandits. It was gathered that problem startedabout two weeks ago when some bandits stormed the village and rustled someanimals. Some of the villagers who went after the attackers recovered theanimals from one of the bandits and succeeded in handing him over to soldiers. The amount following negotiationscame down to 700,000 naira with the bandits and was subsequently spread acrossthe residents. The state’s Police Command SpokesmanGambo Isah said investigation is ongoing. It would be recalled that last week,30 persons were killed at Tsauwa and Dankar villages of the State.