Bandits Paid us N6,000 Each to Sleep with them - Nigerien sisters

Two biological sisters, Binta Husaini and Balki Husaini, who are from Konni town in Niger Republic were allegedly arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps because of their relationship with the leader of bandits in Bagega forest in the Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, known as, Shaho, and his friend, Jijji. Binta, who speaks for the sisters, tells MAIHARAJI ALTINE about their relationship with the bandits

Where do you live?

We live in Sabon Gari area in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area, Zamfara State. We are from Konni town in Niger Republic.

What are you doing in Nigeria?

We live with our parents who weave and sell mats.

You were arrested in Bagega village along with an okada rider (commercial motorcyclist). What were you doing in Bagega?

We were invited by bandits to come and sleep with them. They asked the motorcyclist to bring us to their place.

How much do they pay you when they sleep with you?

They normally pay us N6,000 each. Sometimes they give us as much as N7,000.

How many times have you slept with them?

Four times. We never saw their families.

Do they give you food when you are with them in the forest?

Yes, they give us food.

How did you get to know the bandits?

They used to come to our house in Sabon Gari in Kaura-Namoda to spend the night with us. But the last time, they invited us to come to their place. They told us to go to Anka town and wait for the motorcyclist who would bring us to their place in the forest. Unfortunately we were arrested on the way.

Did your parents know about your relationship with the bandits?

No. They didn’t know that we were sleeping with the bandits.

What did you do with the money the bandits paid you for the times you slept with them?

We would use the money to buy foodstuffs and give to our parents; our parents are poor.

When did you come to Nigeria?

We came to Nigeria early last year.