Sokoto deputy chief Imam arrested over alleged ties to armed bandits

Security operatives in Sokoto State have arrested Sirajo Ahmad Dan Liman, the Deputy Chief Imam of the Central Jumu’ah Mosque in Kangiye, Atakwanyo Ward, Gwadabawa Local Government Area, over allegations of collaborating with armed bandits operating along the Tangaza–Niger Republic border.

According to security sources, intelligence-led investigations linked the cleric to the supply of motorcycles and other essential goods to criminal gangs notorious for kidnappings, cattle rustling, and cross-border smuggling in the area.

Authorities also revealed that operatives discovered ₦47 million in the suspect’s bank account, allegedly proceeds from his dealings with the armed groups.

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Beyond his role in the mosque, Sirajo reportedly holds significant political influence in the community.

He serves as ward chairman of a political party in Atakwanyo and is also the secretary of the forum of political party chairmen in Gwadabawa LGA.

Within the mosque, Sirajo was a well-known figure during Ramadan, frequently delivering sermons in Kangiye.

He often deputised for his father, the Chief Imam, leading Friday prayers and delivering the khutbah (sermon) when his father was unavailable.

Authorities say the arrest is part of an ongoing crackdown on financiers and logistics suppliers to bandit groups across Sokoto and neighbouring states.

“We are targeting the financial and logistical backbone of these criminal networks,” a security source told News Point Nigeria. “Without funds, fuel, and transport, their operations will crumble.”

Motorcycles are a critical asset for armed groups in the northwest, allowing them to navigate difficult terrain quickly and evade security patrols.

Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina states have for years battled waves of bandit attacks, with hundreds of villages affected and hundreds of thousands displaced.

While military operations have destroyed some camps, security experts warn that cutting off financial and logistical lifelines remains crucial to dismantling the gangs.

Sirajo’s arrest, sources say, is a significant breakthrough not only because of his alleged direct links to the bandits, but also because it exposes the depth of infiltration criminal groups have achieved in religious, social, and political structures.