Residents of nine communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have commenced an accelerated revenue drive to meet up an ultimatum declared by rampaging bandits in the state, which has become a hotbed of violent crimes.

Daily Sun reported Monday that Iburo, Gamdu, Dnasa, Pyegbere, Dnasapa, Jhazhayidna, Goffan A and B, Chukuba and Galapy communities in Shiroro LGA have been ordered by bandits to remit a monthly settlement fee of N5 million to avoid being invaded.

Sources told the newspaper that even though members of the affected communities — composed predominantly of farmers — had struggled to raise N3 million in December, the armed criminals through intermediaries have threatened to wreck havoc on residents if the exact sum they demanded wasn’t complete by the end of January.

The police in Niger have said investigations are ongoing on the frightening ultimatum.

Dozens have been killed and a lot more displaced in the North central state, following ramped up attacks by motorcycle-riding bandits.

Civil and military authorities have repeatedly assured of ongoing efforts to tackle the volatile situation.