Daud Olatunji
A resident of Dogo Ruwan Yan Magariya in Katsina State, Ibrahim Nasarai, has confessed to being an informant for bandits operating in the region over the past four years.
Ibrahim’s confession, captured in a viral video following his arrest, has shed light on the alarming scale of kidnappings for ransom in the area, with some victims being held for as little as N95,000 or N200,000.
Speaking in Hausa during the interrogation, Ibrahim openly admitted his involvement, stating, “I promise to reveal to the authorities my role as a bandit informant.
“I’ll disclose everything, the whole truth from the beginning to the end.”
When questioned about his activities prior to his arrest, Ibrahim confirmed his role, saying, “I’ve been an informant for bandits in my community for the past four years.
” He further emphasized his willingness to cooperate with authorities, stating that he was now ready to expose everything, as he had been caught.
Ibrahim identified several bandits he had collaborated with, including Danladi Tukur Mati, Sani Tukur, and Dandan Yargata, who he said operated near their village.
“They live in the bushes near the farmland,” he said, adding that the bandits frequently shopped at Gyaza, a location they preferred over visiting his village.
In a chilling account of his involvement in multiple kidnappings, Ibrahim admitted to participating in six abduction operations.
He detailed the cases of several victims, including Aisha, who managed to escape after just one day in captivity before a ransom could be negotiated, and Jamila, who was released after a ransom of N95,000 was paid.
Another victim, Rabi, the wife of Salisu Abdullahi from Yan Magariya, also escaped after two days in captivity while the bandits were asleep.
Ibrahim’s own nephew, Hassan, was kidnapped and released after a ransom of N200,000 was paid.
However, his release was delayed as the bandits awaited his availability at their camp.
Ibrahim mentioned a figure named Ya’u, whom he described as highly respected among the bandit leaders.
Ya’u, according to Ibrahim, was a protégé of a notorious bandit leader, Buzare. While Ibrahim claimed ignorance about Buzare’s whereabouts, he indicated that Ya’u operated around Ya-Sanya, near Dan-Isa.
The confession highlights the deep-seated issue of banditry in Katsina State, where residents live in fear of kidnappings for ransom. Ibrahim’s willingness to cooperate with authorities might provide crucial intelligence needed to tackle the rampant insecurity in the region.
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