Ardo Sa’idu is the commander of one of the bandit gangs terrorizing residents of Sabon Birni local government area of Sokoto State.
One of the victims and residents of Isa who spoke with 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE on condition of anonymity said Sa’idu and his gangs operate from Isa forest and survives on ransom from his victims.
Malam Sa’idu was said to have been engaged in teaching of nomads before his adventure into banditry.
“His boys invaded our community Gatawa in Sabon Birni local government area around 9 pm and ransacked all our houses and dispossessed us of their belongings,” the victim said.
“When they came to our house, they forced my door open, but at that time I had gone into hiding. They asked my wife about me and she told them I was not in town. They didn’t believe her because they saw my sandals on the ground.
“One of them slapped my wife and she became terrified, and led them to where I was bidding.
“They brought me out, collected my phone and left but one of them who was standing outside the room told them to bring me along and they did as commanded.
“They later entered my younger brothers’ room and brought them along. They whisked us away to one forest across a stream.”
He said they took the women on motorcycles while the men were ordered trekking, which they did for more than 10 hours. He added that they were water to perform ablution to say their dawn prayer after which they were given food..
“They served us food and we ate to our satisfaction. Sa’idu always goes round during mealtime to ensure we are all served and after eating he would come back and ask if there is anyone of us that is not satisfied or if the taste of the food is okay,” he said.
“He always told us that he would not take us away from our comfort homes, bring us to the forest and maltreat us because he does not know what to tell God on the day of judgement.
“I don’t want to go back to God with many burdens on me, that is why I don’t maltreat abductees,” he told us.
The victim said there are more than 10 bandit camps in the forest under different commanders. He said Sa’idu is a loyalist of the notorious bandits’ leader in Isa, Turji because most of the songs played by his boys were Turji’s praises.
“Captives under Sa’idu are allowed to say their five daily prayers and when they are in need of clothes, Sa’idu send his boy to get a new one for them,” he said.
He recalled that when they were departing after the payment of N10 million ransom, Sa’idu while bidding them a safe journey, gave them messages to their community heads.
“He gave some conditions which he said if abided by, the bandits will not attack our community again,” the victim said.
“He said we should not allow vigilantes, ‘Yan Sakai or any security operatives in our area.”
The victim who now resides in Sokoto town, said Sabon Birni village was at the mercy of bandits.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that over 17 communities have been sacked by bandits in the area, forcing residents to flee to the neighbouring Niger Republic.
