By The Daily Torch Media
A suspected bandit identified as Dago Sale has accused a serving Nigerian soldier of supplying firearms to his criminal gang, alleging that members purchased each gun for ₦1 million.
Sale also claimed that the gang collected a total of ₦1 billion in ransom from two separate kidnapping operations involving officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Kaduna State.
The suspect made the allegations during an interrogation conducted in Hausa and captured in a video obtained by SaharaReporters.
In the recording, Sale reportedly provided details of the gang’s operations across parts of Kaduna and Kogi states, including its forest hideouts, weapons suppliers, kidnapping methods and ransom collections.
He alleged that the soldier, whom he identified only as Abdul, supplied firearms to the gang’s Kaduna section, with deliveries reportedly made using a vehicle.
The suspect further claimed that he personally participated in purchasing weapons from the alleged supplier, adding that the arrangement was facilitated through the gang’s leadership.
Two Customs-Related Kidnappings Allegedly Yielded ₦1bn
One of the most striking revelations in the interrogation concerned two kidnapping operations involving Nigeria Customs Service personnel.
According to Sale, the gang received ₦500 million after abducting a Customs officer in the first incident.
In the second operation, he alleged that the gang targeted another Customs officer but kidnapped the officer’s wife instead in an attempt to exert pressure on her husband.
He claimed that the group subsequently received another ₦500 million, bringing the alleged total ransom from the two operations to ₦1 billion.
However, the interrogation did not independently establish the identities of the victims, the dates of the incidents or documentary evidence confirming the alleged ransom payments.
Gang Operated From Kaduna and Lokoja Camps
Sale, who claimed to have been involved in banditry for approximately four years, identified Rijana in Kaduna State as one of the gang’s forest camps.
He described the location as being deep inside the forest, beyond areas he referred to as Sabuwa Gayam and Doguwa Gayam.
He also disclosed that the group operated around Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, particularly along routes used by travellers.
Estimating the gang’s strength, Sale claimed that approximately 20 members operated from the Lokoja camp, while more than 100 others were distributed across different groups in Kaduna State.
He suggested that the Kaduna network comprised about 10 groups and maintained that its membership could exceed 200.
These figures, however, remain estimates provided by the suspect and have not been independently verified.
How Bandits Allegedly Selected Their Victims
During the interrogation, Sale also described how members of the gang allegedly identified travellers for abduction along the Lokoja highway.
He claimed that the gang assessed potential victims through their appearance, clothing and the types of vehicles they travelled in.
According to him, members targeted individuals they believed had the financial capacity to pay substantial ransoms.
He said the gang would block vehicles, seize selected travellers and take them into the forest, where they were held while negotiations with their relatives continued.
Sale claimed that ransom demands in some cases ranged between ₦100 million and ₦200 million.
He also indicated that some members of the gang were still operating along the Lokoja road.
Soldier Allegedly Sold Guns for ₦1m Each
The interrogation took a more serious turn when Sale was questioned about the source of the gang’s firearms.
He accused a serving Nigerian soldier identified only as Abdul of supplying weapons to the criminal network.
According to the suspect, each firearm was sold for ₦1 million, with the alleged supplier delivering the weapons to the gang’s section in Kaduna State.
Sale claimed that the gang’s leaders introduced members to the soldier and facilitated the arrangement.
He further alleged that the supplier usually arrived at the forest around 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. to deliver weapons and left at approximately 8 p.m.
The suspect also claimed that the alleged soldier was holding ₦5 million belonging to him, explaining that the money was connected to an arrangement involving the purchase of Plaster of Paris (POP) materials for building work.
Sale additionally alleged that the man owned several houses in an area he identified as Pida Bulu, Babang Saura, claiming that the properties were acquired with proceeds from the gang’s criminal activities.
Neither the alleged arms transactions nor the claims about the properties and money have been independently established.
Suspect Offers to Cooperate With Security Agencies
During the questioning, Sale was asked whether he would assist security agencies in identifying and locating the alleged soldier and other individuals suspected of supplying the gang with weapons, food and other necessities.
He reportedly agreed to cooperate.
His willingness to provide information could give investigators leads to examine, particularly concerning the alleged arms supplier and the wider network supporting the gang’s activities.
However, the information provided in the interrogation does not establish whether the alleged soldier has been identified, arrested or questioned by security agencies.
Allegations Raise Fresh Questions About Arms Supply
The revelations have raised fresh concerns about the sources of firearms available to criminal gangs operating across parts of Kaduna and Kogi states.
If substantiated, the allegation that a serving military personnel supplied weapons to bandits would raise serious questions about possible insider involvement and the channels through which illegal firearms reach criminal networks.
Similarly, the alleged ₦1 billion ransom collection from two Customs-related kidnapping operations requires further investigation and independent confirmation.
As of the time of this report, the allegations against the soldier, the ransom figures and the suspect’s account of the gang’s size and operations had not been independently established.
The claims remain statements made by a suspect during interrogation and should not be treated as proven facts until corroborated by credible evidence or confirmed by the relevant authorities.
