“Bandits” is the Nigerian media’s euphemism for Islamic jihadis. Note that Alhaji Lambo Ilela claims below to have induced them to moderate their activities. But both he and the jihadis must be well aware that what the jihad groups do in Nigeria is sanctioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah. So why would he try to get them to stop doing it? Clearly he is just trying to save his own skin now that he has been arrested, but what he is saying makes little sense.
“75-Year-Old Nigerian Cleric Arrested In Zamfara For Allegedly Providing Spiritual Support To Bandits,” Sahara Reporters, December 23, 2024:
During interrogation, the elderly cleric reportedly confessed to offering spiritual services to bandits for nearly six years.
A 75-year-old cleric, identified as Alhaji Lambo Ilela, has been arrested by a local community watch group in Zamfara State for allegedly providing spiritual backing to bandits operating in Zamfara and Katsina States.
During interrogation, the elderly cleric reportedly confessed to offering spiritual services to bandits for nearly six years.
He disclosed that his clientele initially consisted of nine gang leaders, including a notorious bandit leader, Sani Gurugu, who commands multiple gangs terrorising communities in Safana.
Ilela further admitted to receiving a payment of N1.3 million from Gurugu in exchange for his spiritual services, which he claimed were meant to enhance the bandits’ operations.
The arrest comes as local vigilantes intensify efforts to curb the activities of criminal groups and their collaborators in Zamfara State, a region plagued by banditry and insecurity….
He said, “I am Alhaji Lambo Ilela, and I will tell the Zamfara Local Community Watch group what I am involved in. I was arrested for offering spiritual support to the bandits.
“I am a spiritual guide for the bandits who operate in the bush. I have vowed to confess all my offences to the local vigilante group, and no one forced me to reveal my involvement with the bandits.
“I have been offering spiritual support to the bandits for almost six years. The first group I supported consisted of nine gang leaders. Among them is Sani Gurugu, who leads several gangs that operate in Safana.
“He came to me and gave me N500,000, telling me that they would return after their mission. I fortified them before they went to attack Dan-Sadau in Zamfara State.”
He continued, “When they returned from their operation, Sani Gurugu gave me N800,000. The spiritual fortification I provided was successful. During the operation, they did not kidnap anyone, but they rustled cows and other animals.
“There were confrontations during the operation, but no one lost their life.
“For the second operation, Sani Gurugu did not give me anything, but he came to me and told me that they wanted to go to Faskari. After the attack in Faskari, some of his gang members were killed by security operatives.
“After he came back, he did not give me anything. He complained that their operation was not successful because I did not fortify them well.”
“Meanwhile, after the failed operation, Sani Gurugu came back and told me that they wanted to launch an attack in Dubura, Zamfara State. I also offered them further spiritual support, but their operation was unsuccessful again. On their way, after rustling cattle, they had a confrontation with security forces and eleven of his members were killed,” he added.
somehistory says
Sounds like his “support” only worked for the “bandits” when he was paid.
Why are the authorities not also arresting the “bandits”? The terrorists who were not killed by “security forces” should be rounded up and put in prison, while the cattle they steal is returned to the owners.
Very little is done in Nigeria to stop mozlums from terrorizing those who refuse to bow to their beast. This little bit is good, but there needs to be a whole lot more.
James Lincoln says
somehistory says,
“Very little is done in Nigeria to stop mozlums from terrorizing those who refuse to bow to their beast. This little bit is good, but there needs to be a whole lot more.”
I would love to be wrong, but I think that this is no more than a little bit of “window dressing”.
somehistory says
You may be right, James. We can have a little bit of hope that this little bit is for real. But, you may be right that it isn’t.
James Lincoln says
Yes, somehistory.
A little bit of hope is better than no hope.
rick says
I hope every adventure in jihad turns out just like the “rustling cattle” one.
What is nice to know is that local authorities are killing them.
Tim gallagher says
What, surely not. But I thought islam was peaceful. Quick get on the phone to the present pope and all the other idiots who think islam is basically peaceful by
Andrew Blackadder says
Have you ever noticed the so called spiritual leaders within the islamic communities all have the same ugly faces and fierce look in their eyes that seems like they want to see blood flow in the streets around them just as their Satanic faith demands of them.
Pure evil and the people that follow this Fascist Religious Cult are the exact same lost sheep that followed Hitler as he told them just how great they all were and were not lost anymore… BUT….
islamism is the new nazism for the 21st century.
James Lincoln says
Yes, Andrew.
“Dead eyes” – and a scowl.