A suspected bandit and kidnapper, Murtala Mohammed, has revealed that belonging to a group of bandits is not by choice or desire. He said that one automatically becomes a member once he lives in the area where the crime thrives.

Mohammed also said that the camps are sacred places that cannot be penetrated or resided in by novices or strangers, stating that children grow up there to learn the rudiments of crime.

The suspect was among others recently paraded in Abuja for alleged involvement in banditry and kidnapping, with an AK-47 rifle, three magazines and ammunition recovered from him.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that what led to the suspect’s arrest was the credible information received by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on his banditry and kidnapping activities.

Dwelling among other suspected bandits in the boundary between Kano and Katsina states, his three biological brothers were also said to be bandits before they were killed. Also, out of his three sisters, two are said to be married to bandits.

It was further gathered that his first elder brother was arrested three times in different groups of banditry and had been detained at IRT unit before. While there, he reportedly claimed repentance and swore that he would be giving information and exposing other bandits. This made the then IRT Commander, DCP Abba Kyari, give him a vehicle to sustain him.

However, he was said to have converted the vehicle to arms carrier from Zamfara to Benue and Nasarawa states to other group members, but was tracked with his number and arrested with the guns. On a day, he got engaged with vigilantes, leading to his death, while the same thing happened to his two other brothers, leading to their deaths also.

Credible source told the Nigerian Tribune that when IRT got information on Mohammed’s banditry, its operatives left in the early hours of a day for Kusada, a remote area at the boundary between Kano and Katsina where bandits live. Information gathered had it that no one who is not a resident or member dares enter the camp without consequence.

The operatives met Mohammed with one of his two wives sleeping and led him out, after which he confessed to them that he had guns but would release one for the sake of his mother.

According to the source, “We agreed with him so as to get him red-handed. He asked us to leave his house, so we took him to another place about four kilometres away. The reason was because he didn’t want us to know where he kept the gun. He then sent his first wife to go and bring an AK-47 rifle and we waited for almost two hours before someone came with a sack on okada. The rifle had an empty magazine but we knew there was no way he would have an AK-47 rifle without bullets so we persuaded him to turn them in. We were in Kano then.

“He urged us to let him speak with his mother and we allowed him. He told his mother to go to a particular place and bring out the remaining magazines, which she did. The mother even chided us for coming to collect the rifle her son bought for almost a million naira. She asked for what we would give him to compensate him for releasing the rifle to us.”

Mohammed was said to have disclosed that he had links in Zamfara and Nasarawa camps of the bandits, confessing that he was once in Bello Turji camp. Turji is a notorious bandit still at large.

Further in his confession, he claimed to have killed a fellow bandit during a gun duel when he wanted to avenge the death of one of his brothers whom he believed was killed by his target. Unknown to him, his target, living at Saminaka in Kaduna State, had two people guarding him. As Mohammed opened fire, the two guards responded, but he still achieved killing one of them while the other withdrew because of Mohammed’s firepower. His target also escaped being killed.

It was learnt that after his arrest, when asked what he would do if he is released, he told the police that he doesn’t have a piece of land and is not good in farming. Exhibiting no remorse, he told them that he had no cow again as he sold them to buy gun. He wondered how the government would take his gun from him without giving him anything.

Nigerian Tribune had an exclusive interview with the suspect. Below are the excerpts:

Can you give an insight to your background?

I’m 27 years old. I’m from Katsina State living at Kusada at the boundary with Kano State. I’m a farmer and cattle rearer. I was born in Zamfara State where my father was Seriki Fulani (Ardo). When my father’s cows were rustled, we left Zamfara for Kebbi State and stayed there for a year in 2015. When we heard of reconciliation between the bandits and the government, we returned to Zamfara. One year after the return, vigilante men killed my elder brother. We left and went to settle at Saminaka.

Why did vigilantes kill your brother?

There were so many criminals and they usually cleared out those not belonging to their gang. Three of my brothers were killed by vigilantes based on suspicion that they were in groups of bandits.

Are you married?

Yes, to two wives. I once had a child with a lady. My first wife now has a child while the second has none yet.

Is it true your wives and mother knew you had a gun?

It was only my first wife who knew. My mother got to know when I was preparing to avenge the killing of one of my brothers. I had to let her know about my mission in case I did not return. She asked of what I would use for the fight and I told her that I had bought an AK-47 rifle. Though she tried to calm me down and asked me not to go, I told her that I could not bear living with the thought of the painful death of my brother.

Why did you decide to kill the man you targeted?

He was kidnapped and paid a ransom before regaining freedom. He began to suspect my brother as the mastermind of his abduction. That was why he was killed and I made a move to revenge his death.

How and when did you begin kidnapping and banditry?

When I tell you that I live in the bush (camp-like), don’t ask me whether I’m a bandit or not. If I’m not one, then I dare not stay in the camp. I was born in the bush and people I’m living with are bandits, so even if I get involved in banditry or not, we are seen as one. And I used to see them go and come back with a lot of money after successfully carrying out kidnappings, so I decided to join them.

How were you carrying out your operations?

We always had informants who would know how to enter a territory and exit without any problem. We would survey the place and brief our superiors on the intelligence gathered. Our superiors would choose two people to lead the operation and pick those who are bold to fight and endure no matter how hot the situation is. After that, we would go to execute their mission. I used to join two or three members for operations. We used to go to Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara and Katsina states for operations. When I got the idea to operate, I decided to form my own gang.

What types of guns were you using for operations?

We have different types. We used 7979 MGs (machine guns) and AK-47 rifles.

Tell us about your mode of operation

Those directives were usually from our superiors. We would not be made to know the arrangement. Whenever I led about four members to a place for kidnap operation, some of them would be armed. As a leader, I would be at the forefront. I would try to find out whether there would be arms in the houses we would be going to. If anyone there was armed, I would make sure that I engaged him in firepower to see whether he could endure it or not. I would tell my gang members to hide to avoid stray bullets. If the other side could not withstand me, he would take to his heels and we would go in to pick the targeted victims from inside and take them away. I would stay with the remaining home occupants so that they would not be able to raise the alarm until my people had moved far before leaving. I usually had three magazines with 60 ammunition. Before you could be taken to operation, you must be an expert in firing and must be able to endure gunshot sounds.

How much were you making from ransom collected from victims’ families?

It depended on what our superiors gave. We dared not go inside where they stayed. They might give N50,000 or more when they returned from operations. When you are asked to be on the watch out in the camp, the leaders might buy drugs and alcoholic drinks for you. I know how to dismantle AK-47 rifles, service and couple. I was usually an armourer. In the camp, we were trained how to use guns. We practised shooting.

As the head of the gang you formed, how much were you making from kidnappings?

My first operation was the move to avenge my brother’s death. I purchased an AK-47 rifle to carry out my plan and was charged N3 million for the one I bought. I paid N1 million the first time and N950,000 the second time. I sold 10 out of my 25 cows and promised to pay the rest on the return from operations. I bought it in Zamfara and collected it at the boundary of Kaduna and Bauchi so as not to be identified, trailed or caught.

The highest thing that can be done to me is to kill me. I’m not scared of anyone but God. I sold 10 cows to buy the gun to avenge my brother’s killing. I don’t use charms in fighting, I only pray. Others are using charms but I don’t believe in it. And I’m not shaken by gunshot sounds.

About four years ago, I killed a junior who tried to kill me. The only one I respect is our leader, especially because we are related.

Will you like your children to take after you?

No, I don’t want them to. When we were growing up, there was no positive orientation, but now, I have seen things and will not like my children to engage in revenge, banditry, kidnapping and other vices.

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