A cleric suspected to have provided spiritual fortification for bandits has been arrested.

He was apprehended by a local community watch group in Zamfara State.

Security analyst and counter insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, who disclosed this on Sunday, December 22, 2024, said the arrest took place following intelligence reports linking the cleric to a series of prayers purportedly aimed at aiding the success of criminal operations.

The vigilante group handed the suspect over to security forces for further investigation.

The cleric confessed to have been providing “spiritual fortification” to bandit leaders, allegedly blessing their weapons and praying for the success of their mission.