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‎The Deputy Chief Imam at the Central Jumu’ah Mosque in Kangiye, Atakwanyo Ward, Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Sirajo Ahmad Dan Liman has been arrested

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‎Liman was said to have been arrested by officials of the Nigeria Police Force over his collaboration with bandits operating in the area.

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‎A counter-terrorism expert, Zagazola Makama in a post on X said Liman’s arrest followed intelligence reports linked to the cleric’s supply of motorcycles and other basic items to the bandits.

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‎He said the bandits operate along the Tangaza–Niger Republic border axis.

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‎“The operatives allegedly found N47 million in his bank account, suspected to be proceeds from his dealings with the criminals.

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‎“Further checks revealed that Sirajo also serves as the ward chairman of a political party in Atakwanyo, as well as the secretary of the forum of political party chairmen in Gwadabawa LGA,” Makama wrote.

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‎He added that sources said that Liman usually delivers sermons in Kangiye during Ramadan.

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‎The cleric is known to often deputise for his father, the Chief Imam.

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‎In his role as a deputy chief imam, Liman carries out basic clerical tasks like leading Friday prayers and delivering the sermon whenever his father, the Imam is unavailable.

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‎“The authorities said the arrest was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the financial and logistical networks sustaining banditry in Sokoto and neighbouring states,” Makama noted.

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