Doctor arrested for ‘treating wanted bandit leader’ in Katsina

Security forces have arrested a doctor in Katsina state for allegedly treating injured bandits, including Usman Modi, a wanted gang leader.

Modi was declared wanted by security agencies with a N50 million reward for his capture.

In a video circulating on social media and the suspect, Lawan Ado from Safana LGA, admitted to providing medical care for several wounded bandits.

Ado said the bandits would pick him up and take him to their hideouts whenever they needed medical attention.

“The first bandit I treated was Usman Modi Modi after he was shot in a clash with the Yan Kyanbara vigilante group,” he said.

“He was first taken to a hospital in Taskiya, but two days later, they brought me to treat him further. I was paid N18,000 for my service.”

He reportedly confessed to treating other bandits, including Mai Kudi, who was shot in Kurfi and paid him N8,000, as well as Audu, an aide to Modi, who also paid him the same amount.

He said he treated Dogo Mardi, who was injured during a robbery and paid N11,000 for the service.

Ado revealed he had travelled to multiple locations to treat various bandits, including one known as Karanboguwa.

Under Nigerian law, aiding and abetting criminals is a punishable offence. Section 10 of the Criminal Code states that anyone who knowingly assists or facilitates the commission of a crime is considered an accessory after the fact, meaning he or she could receive the same punishment as the principal offender.

Similarly, section 85 of the Penal Code, which applies to northern Nigeria, stipulates that anyone who harbours or assists an offender to evade justice is guilty of an offence.

The Terrorism (Prevention) Act also criminalises support for individuals or groups involved in terrorism-related activities.

The penalties for aiding and abetting vary depending on the crime committed by the principal offender.