"I Gave Them Petrol Once" – 50-Year-Old Man Confesses to Supplying Food, Fuel to Bandits in Katsina

 

In a shocking and troubling incident that has stirred public concern, a 50-year-old man identified as Bashar Abubakar has been arrested for aiding suspected bandits operating in Katsina State. Abubakar, who hails from Gwarzo town in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State, was apprehended by members of a local vigilante group—ordinary citizens who have taken up the task of securing their communities where formal security presence is lacking or overstretched.

The incident, which has since gone viral, came to light after a video of Abubakar’s confession was posted by renowned security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama. The video, translated by Punch Newspapers, reveals disturbing details about the kind of assistance Abubakar allegedly gave to the criminal group terrorizing parts of the North-West.

A Shocking Confession: "I Gave Them Petrol Once"

In the video, Abubakar openly admits to supplying petrol—an essential and often hard-to-find resource in remote areas—to the suspected bandits. According to him:

"I gave them petrol once; it was up to one gallon," he confessed, speaking calmly but clearly.

This seemingly small quantity, just one gallon, might sound insignificant on the surface, but in the context of aiding criminals who rely on fuel for their motorcycles and other operations, it becomes a serious matter. Even a single gallon can enable a bandit to travel across communities, launch attacks, or escape from law enforcement.

The Mysterious Woman: "I Don't Know Her Name, Wallahi"

When asked by the vigilantes about a woman who had reportedly helped in delivering fuel and other items, Abubakar denied knowing much about her. His response was firm:

"The woman is one of them. They sent her to collect the items from me. I don’t know her name, wallahi," he said, using the Hausa word "wallahi" (meaning "I swear to God") to emphasize the truthfulness of his claim.

This statement implies that he was part of a more organized system, where deliveries were coordinated through intermediaries, possibly to maintain secrecy and avoid detection.

More Than Just Fuel: Food Supplies for Bandits

Beyond fuel, Abubakar also admitted to providing a variety of food items to the bandits. These include basic essentials like soft drinks, sachet water (popularly known as 'pure water'), bread, and rice.

"I bought soft drinks, pure water, bread, rice, and other stuff for them," he said.

While he did not personally take these items into the forest or hideouts where the bandits are believed to reside, he said the criminals came into town to pick them up themselves.

"They normally come to pick up the stuff. Sometimes, they come to Alhaji Bello’s place to collect them," he explained, adding another name into the mix, which could potentially lead to further investigations.

Silent Support or Fearful Obedience?

When pressed on whether he thought his actions were right or justified, Abubakar didn’t provide a clear answer. However, he acknowledged that the group imposed levies and punished locals in their own way, which shows he was aware of the dangerous nature of the people he was helping.

He spoke about a particular case involving a boy accused of stealing diesel from trucks:

"That boy that they asked to pay the ransom; it was the Fulani that fixed the levy," he said, although he claimed he couldn’t remember the exact amount that was demanded.

"He was caught stealing diesel from big trucks. Judgment was passed on him," Abubakar added.

Interestingly, Abubakar tried to distance himself from any decisions made by the group, saying:

"Wallahi, they are the ones that changed the judgement."

This suggests that although he may have been cooperating with them, he was not fully in control or involved in all their decisions and actions.

No Rewards, Just Risks

Despite the serious nature of his cooperation, Abubakar claimed he received no compensation for helping the bandits.

"They didn’t give me anything," he stated plainly, perhaps hoping to portray himself as someone who was either forced to comply or acted out of fear.

Final Words: “They Are All True”

At the end of the interrogation, when asked to confirm the truth of everything he had said, Abubakar did not hesitate:

"They are all true," he said.

This chilling confession adds to growing concerns about how bandits are able to operate in parts of northern Nigeria. It shows that some individuals within communities, either out of fear, financial desperation, or sympathy, are enabling these groups to thrive.

As the authorities continue their investigation, this case serves as a wake-up call about the role of civilian complicity in the growing insecurity across the country. It also raises deeper questions about how communities can be supported and protected in a way that reduces the appeal—or pressure—of aiding criminal groups.

Stay with NaijaRush for more updates on this developing story and in-depth coverage of security issues affecting Nigeria.