Ex-Sokoto gov., Bafarawa’s brother arrested for allegedly supplying bandits with Army boots, uniforms

A younger brother of a former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, (names withheld), as been arrested for allegedly supplying bandits with Army boots, uniforms.
The suspect is being detained by security agents.

Upon his arrest, the suspect was reportedly taken to the State Government House, Gusau, where he was reportedly interrogated by Governor Alhaji Muhammad Bello Matawalle and other top government officials.
Probing the suspect, the security officials asked if he was actually working hand in hand with Colonel Garba Moyi (rtd), Sokoto State Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Security and also Alhaji Bashir, a staff of Sokoto State Ministry of Health, which he had earlier indicated in his statement.
After taking an oath that he would tell the truth, he confessed that he had been supplying boots and military uniforms, which he said he purchases from School Leather Technology, Zaria, to bandits. He also revealed that, whenever the bandits got wounded during operations, he would treat and give them the necessary medical attention that they needed.

He further revealed that he had been involved in these criminal activities for a long time but unknown to him, the security agents had received a report about him, had all his phone lines tapped and also arranged some people to buy boots and military uniforms from him.

He said these customers would always meet him one on one to make the payments directly and collect the items.

According to security reports, last Friday, the accused negotiated with bandits that some uniforms and boots will be given to them after the second payment of N265,000 was made. He delivered the boots to them on Sunday at 9:00am.

Director General, Media, Zamfara State Government House, Alhaji Zailani Baffa, confirmed the arrest.

During the interrogation, Governor Matawalle asked the accused whether he was aware that the people he gives medical treatment to are involved in killing, kidnapping and destroying the lives of innocent citizens of Zamfara State, to which the suspect confirmed that he is fully aware of the criminal activities of his customers.

In a related development, Zamfara State Government has also arrested a Military officer and his girlfriend who have been involved in buying and selling of guns to bandits. They have since been handed over to the military authorities for prosecution.