By kawaekwune Jeffrey
A 27-year-old criminal suspect, Murtala Mohammed, arrested for banditry and kidnapping, has revealed that living in bandits’ camps automatically entails you are engaged in criminal activities.
Mohammed, from Katsina State, explained on Monday that it was not his voluntary decision to be a bandit rather the environmental circumstances of living in the areas dominated by criminal gangs compelled him to take to banditry.
The suspect who was reportedly arrested in Kusada, a remote area between Kano and Katsina states, was paraded by police with an AK-47 rifle, magazines, and ammunition. He confessed to being part of the banditry network and disclosed that the camps are sacred spaces where outsiders are not welcomed. He explained that even children growing up in these camps are gradually introduced to their ways of crime.
According to Mohammed, his involvement began after moving with his family to various states, including Zamfara and Kebbi states, following conflicts with vigilantes that resulted in the deaths of his three brothers. He revealed that his three sisters were married to bandits, further entangling him in the criminal world.
Mohammed recounted how he joined banditry. According to him, he was influenced by the wealth and power bandits displayed after successful operations. He detailed how he formed his own gang after participating in several operations, mostly across states such as Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Katsina. He disclosed that his gang used various firearms, including machine guns and AK-47 rifles, in their operations.
Despite his criminal activities, Mohammed showed no remorse during interrogation. He stated that after selling his cows to purchase a gun, he was prepared to face the consequences, including death.
When asked about his future plans, Mohammed admitted that he had no land or farming skills and did not know what he would do if released. Despite his deep involvement in crime, he said he would not want his children to follow in his footsteps.
Mohammed was one of several suspects arrested during a crackdown on banditry in northern Nigeria, where authorities have been intensifying efforts to combat criminal groups destabilizing the region.
