Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have arrested a 50-year-old suspect, Umar Samaila,alleged to be the spiritual leader of bandits in parts of Niger State, Nasarawa and Abuja.
The spokesman for the Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed this in a statement on Monday in Minna, the state capital.
He explained that the suspect was arrested on Saturday based on a technical intelligence that bandits were planning to kidnap some worshipers the next day in a church at Buku village in Abaji Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being the spiritual leader to some notorious bandits hibernating in Niger, FCT Abuja, and Nasarawa States,” said Abiodun. “During his last conversation with his gang on the same date at about 0720hrs, he directed them to go ahead with the operation and assured them of success.
“He also promised to pray for the release of a suspected bandit known as ‘Julli’ currently in police custody in Abuja.
“The suspect will be transferred to the FCT (Police) Command, Abuja for further investigation.”
