The arrest of a long-standing motorcycle spare-parts dealer and PoS operator in the Siyaya community, Katsina State, has sparked fresh anxiety among residents following allegations that he allegedly served as a financial link between bandits and those supplying motorcycles and arms to them.
The suspect, identified as Isyaku Nasiru, had reportedly operated his businesses in the community for more than 15 years before his arrest.
A resident of Siyaya, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the community first became aware of Nasiru’s arrest without knowing the reason for it.
According to him, it was only after information emerged from the investigation that residents allegedly learnt of his suspected links with a notorious bandit leader, Mahulammadu Kachalla, who has been accused of terrorising communities in the area.
The resident alleged that Nasiru had been sending large sums of money to suspected bandits to facilitate the purchase of motorcycles and arms.
“He used to send N20 million, N10 million to buy motorcycles and arms for them,” the resident alleged.
He further claimed that Nasiru had confessed to the allegations in a video currently circulating on social media.
However, the authenticity of the video, the circumstances under which it was recorded, and the allegations it contains could not be independently verified.
The arrest, according to the resident, has unsettled the community, with residents now expressing concern over the possibility that people living among them could secretly be assisting armed groups.
He said the development had made residents more cautious about whom they interacted with, particularly because Nasiru had been known in the community for many years as a businessman.
“This has caused panic in the community because you don’t know the kind of person you are living with,” he said.
The resident said the investigation allegedly led to the mention of two other individuals, Nura and Aminu, who he claimed were involved in bringing money to Nasiru for onward supply.
“He did not mention many names except Nura and Aminu, who used to bring the money to him, and he would make the supply. It was Nura who was first caught and exposed Isyaku Nasiru,” he alleged.
He, however, said residents were hoping that further investigation would expose anyone else involved in financing or supporting bandit activities in the area.
“We are praying Allah will reveal these people,” he said.
The resident said what made the development particularly disturbing was Nasiru’s reputation in the community.
He said the suspect had been operating a motorcycle spare-parts business and a PoS outlet in Siyaya for more than 15 years and was not publicly known as someone involved in criminal activities.
“Isyaku Nasiru has been selling motorcycle spare parts and doing PoS business in the area for over 15 years. I don’t know that he has been involved with bandits.
“He is a man with a great reputation, but we don’t know what he has been doing in this regard,” he said.
He said the development had demonstrated the difficulty communities face in identifying individuals allegedly operating secretly within them.
