A community in Zamfara state, Yar Katsina, had mobilized and paid N5 million to facilitate the deployment of security forces to their village.
Zamfara is the epicentre of banditry in Northwest Nigeria, with armed bandits massacring civilians, razing villages and kidnapping people including students for ransom.
The villagers have been battling bandits and were desperate to have security personnel come to their aid, it was learned.
A statement by the spokesperson of Zamfara police command, SP Muhammad Shehu, on Thursday, said two suspects – Lawali Musa and Jamilu Isa – have been arrested for allegedly defrauding the villagers the sum of N5 million to facilitate troops deployment to the village.
Musa hails from Jangebe village in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, while Isa from Yardole in Gusau LGA, the police said.
The statement said, “The arrest of the suspects was as a result of complaints received from members of the community against the principal suspect, Lawali
“Police investigation revealed that the principal suspect confessed to have collected the sum of N5 million from the community in the name of assisting them to have security agencies deployed to their community.
“The second suspect, Jamilu Isah, confessed that the sum of N800,000 out of the N5 million collected was deposited into his account.”
The spox said the suspects would be charged to court after full investigation.
SP Shehu said deployment of security operatives to villages and communities is free of charge.
