A local community watch group in Zamfara State has apprehended a 75-year-old cleric accused of providing spiritual support to bandits operating in the region.
Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, reported the arrest on Sunday, 22nd December 2024. The arrest followed intelligence reports linking the cleric to a series of prayers believed to be aimed at aiding the success of bandit activities.
The vigilante group handed the suspect over to the security forces for further investigation. During interrogation, the cleric confessed to providing “spiritual fortification” to bandit leaders, including allegedly blessing their weapons and praying for the success of their operations.
