A suspected 30-year-old bandit commander in one of the Danmusa Local Government Area forests, Ibrahim Ismaila, also known as ‘Yellow’, and another errand boy of a notorious bandit leader, 22-year-old Basiru Muazu are in the Katsina State Police net for banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
Ismaila who was paraded by the spokesman of the police, Superintendent Gambo Isah, at the Command’s Headquarters, was in the company of 10 rescued victims of kidnap from his camp.
Yellow, as he is popularly called, said he has never felt pains, just as he is feeling with the several injuries sustained during a gun duel with the police.
He explained that during the attack on Kitibawa village in Dutsinma Local Government Area on September 15, they abducted 18 villagers, mainly women and children, and rustled many animals.
He said on their way to the forest, they met stiff resistance from the police and other security personnel led by the Area Commander of Dutsinma, Assistant Commissioner of Police Aminu Umar, where 90 of the rustled animals were recovered.
Ibrahim also confessed that his leader, Sani Muhindinge, who is notorious and on the wanted list of the police, is hiding in the Danmusa Forest, and has over 100 young foot soldiers.
The suspect also confirmed that it is his first time being in severe pain due to the injuries sustained, as he pleaded for mercy, saying he regrets his actions.
He also confessed to have received a total sum of 500,000 Naira from a ransom of 5 million Naira collected from one of the victims they held.
Yellow said the remaining abducted victims are held in other parts of the forest by some other foot soldiers of their leader, Muhindinge, as he promised to assist the police.
Other arrests include that of a suspected 22-year-old Basiru Muazu believed to be an errand boy of another notorious bandit commander on the wanted list of the police, Dahe, who is hiding in the Danmusa Forest.
One of the rescued victims, 20-year-old Basira Haruna, on behalf of others, said while in captivity, the arrested suspected commander, who they were able to identify at the time of his arrest, got 500,000 Naira share of a 5 million Naira ransom received from a victim’s family, but can not say whether the victim was released or killed.
She said they underwent untold hardship during their stay in captivity with hunger and the ill-treatment they received from the abductors.
Haruna confirmed that about 18 villagers, mainly women and children were abducted the night the attack took place, saying, they were separated into two groups on their way to the forest.
While thanking the police for their rescue, they pleaded that the remaining victims be released.
The 10 rescued victims are made up of seven women and three babies.
