Kogi Police Arrest 3 Suspects in Graduate’s Murder, Recover Stolen Tricycle in Lokoja
LOKOJA — The Kogi State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the killing of a young graduate in Lokoja, recovering the victim’s stolen tricycle in the process.
The victim, Aminu Abubakar, a resident of the Otokiti area, was said to have recently graduated from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and was awaiting mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) before the incident occurred.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the arrests were made following a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation carried out by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
According to the police, the case was promptly taken over by the Homicide Unit after the victim was reported missing, triggering a detailed investigation that led to the identification and arrest of the suspects.
Preliminary findings indicated that the assailants allegedly disguised themselves as construction workers to gain the victim’s trust before luring him to a remote location in Lokoja. He was subsequently attacked with a shovel, with an autopsy confirming that he sustained multiple fatal head injuries.
Investigators believe the crime was premeditated, with the suspects targeting the victim primarily to dispossess him of his tricycle, which he used for commercial transport.
Following the attack, the suspects reportedly fled with the tricycle and later sold it to one Kabiru Idris in Anyigba. Police operatives tracked down and arrested Idris, leading to the recovery of the stolen tricycle during a search of his residence.
The operation also led to the discovery of four additional motorcycles suspected to have been stolen, suggesting a broader criminal network.
Further checks revealed that two of the principal suspects, identified as Garba Godwin Ibrahim and Ashema Usman Samson, have prior criminal records, including convictions related to armed robbery and homicide.
The police confirmed that investigations have been concluded and the suspects have been arraigned before Magistrate Court 5 in Lokoja, where they were remanded in custody pending further legal proceedings.
Commending the operatives for their swift and professional response, the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling violent crime across the state. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and support law enforcement efforts by providing timely and credible information.
The development has drawn renewed attention to security concerns in parts of Lokoja, with residents calling for sustained efforts to curb criminal activities and ensure justice for victims.