Olayomi Koiki
KATSINA, Nigeria – A man has been arrested for allegedly working with terrorists locally dubbed as bandits in Nigeria.
Umaru Wakili was reportedly arrested by a local security outfit, Katsina Community Watch Corps in Gora Dan Saka, Malumfashi Local Government Area of the northwestern Katsina state after the suspect was accused of being the mastermind in securing bail for bandits whenever they are apprehended by the Nigeria Police Force.
In a video posted on social media platform X on Monday by a local crisis watchdog Bakatsine, it was learnt that the suspect was arrested by the Katsina Community Watch Corps, and he confessed to being part of a criminal syndicate and named several individuals he alleged to be accomplices.
Wakili said during interrogation: “My name is Umaru Wakili, from Gora Dan Saka in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State. I am 45 years old and of Hausa-Bayajida ethnicity.
“I was arrested for allegedly bailing out bandits. Among others, Alhaji Tukur Harno, Yaruku Lukudu, Musa Dan-gida Daoji, and Marayi Uba-daba are all bandits, while the son of Alhaji Yau is a rustler. He was once arrested and taken to the Police Area Command for rustling.
“There is also one Hamza, although I was not the one who bailed him out, he is one of the bandits. The people I mentioned are those we assisted in securing their release from police custody.”
When questioned about the children of Alhaji Dauda, he said: “They are with the police in Malumfashi. I am not the one who went to bail them, but they were under my watch.”
He, however, expressed regret, saying: “I promise this will be the last time I engage in such actions. I will never bail out bandits again. What we have done is wrong.”
Wakili further appealed to others engaging in similar activities to desist.
“Banditry is not something to be proud of. If anyone is involved, they should stop,” he said.
Wakili also vowed that if he escapes his current ordeal, he would expose and help apprehend anyone involved in banditry in the future.
The police command in the state could not be reached for comment.