From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Following the killing of a 300 level Student of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), Abdulwahab Jafar that led to a massive protest, the State Police Command has arrested seven persons linked to the crime.

The Niger State Police Command in a Statement on Tuesday by the police public Relations officer, Wasiu Abiodun said a total of 19 persons  were initially arrested,  but after screening 7 were detained.

He said the breakthrough is coming almost four months after the 23yrs old was killed from wounds he sustained while been stabbed at his lodge.

“It could be recalled that on June 23, 2025 at about 3am, there was a report of an unfortunate attack on a student of the IBBUL identified as Abdulwahab Jafar 23yrs of Paiko at his lodge in the school, among other attacks leading to loss of life of the said student”

He recalled that, the incident led to other crises in Lapai community and Police tactical teams were deployed to the town through which normalcy was restored.

“However, in a follow up investigative effort of the Command, jointly carried out by TST and FID STS, a total of 19 persons were arrested in Lapai and other locations in the State based on intelligence and other information at the disposal of the Police Command

“The investigation activities were narrowed down to seven suspects for criminal conspiracy, robbery, unlawful society, internet fraud, having in possession of dangerous weapons and suspected culpable homicide “

The Command  named the seven suspects  as ; Idris Hamza 27yrs of Maikunkele, Suleiman Damilare 27yrs of Maikunkele, Abdulsemiu Bashir 23yrs of Lapai,Bawa Aliyu 27yrs of Suleja and Yakubu Musa – Pypa 24yrs of Maikunkele .

Others are Samson Abbah, Small 28yrs Rafin /Yanshi, Solomon Musa – Cabella 28yrs of Maitumbi.

Acvording to SP Wasiu Abiodun, based on credible intelligence, Idris Hamza and Suleiman Damilare were arrested on June 27 at Fadikpe with cannabis, charms, and local black soaps with a Toyota Corolla vehicle at one Abdullahi Ahmed a.k.a catch-up residence.

The suspects confessed to members of Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM) and further confessed to having carried out a series of cultist activities in IBBUL such as initiation of members’ e.g Jolijoli and other members.

“Their confessions led to the arrest of Abdulsemiu Basir, who is reasonably suspected to be a rival member of the group known as VIKINGS.”

He explained that, upon his arrest in Lapai at a motor park on June 29, a spot search was carried out on him, he was found in possession of 16 SIM cards, POS machine and sum of seventy-seven thousand naira.

“He claimed that he bought the SIM cards from one Audu, another member of VIKINGS presently at large, and the SIM cards were confirmed to be from stolen/robbed phones of victims”.

Bawa Aliyu, before his arrest, was said  to have admitted  that he was a butcher with axe in NBM Lapai while Yakubu Musa a.k.a PYPA (protect your peace) was arrested on August 14, also a member of NBM, they confirmed to have carried out several attacks and robberies in students lodges to finance their dues, with internet fraud.

Samson Abbah a.k.a Small of Rafin-Yanshi was a student of Federal Polytechnic Bida, graduated in 2017, but joined NBM in 2015, he was also mentioned as the group Admin officer of their WhatsApp platform for Minna zone.

The platform was named as “Men that matters” before he changed it to “Football News”, where they discussed their nefarious activities. Solomon Musa known as Cabella, a close friend of Bawa and Yakubu, the three of them with others attempted to attack another student in the school in August, but met his absence and destroyed the student’s apartment over an alleged rude attitude of the student to them as they claimed.

The Command said investigation is still ongoing and effort to identify either VIKINGS or NBM members responsible for the attack of the deceased is intensified, as it was established that the attack was cultists related.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, at the weekend confirmed suspected suicide of one Ik Ojo (male, 30) who was found hanging in his residence at Kagini, Dei-Dei area of the FCT.

This was contained in a statement issued by FCT Police command and signed by SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer,FCT Police Command,Abuja.

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She said the command  received a distress call on the 5th of August , 2025 reporting the suspected suicide of one Ik Ojo (male, 30).

The statement reads, “Responding promptly, police operatives from Dei-Dei Division visited the scene and evacuated the victim to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, has ordered a thorough and discreet investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further details will be communicated as the investigation progresses”.

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The Police Command in Ebonyi yesterday said it has arrested a total of 131 suspects for various crimes and rescued two kidnap victims.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Adaku Uche-Anya, made the disclosure in Abakaliki when she briefed newsmen on the command’s achievements from July to mid-August.

Uche-Anya said that the suspects include 120 males and 11 females.

According to her, the suspects were arrested for alleged armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, and crisis instigation, among others.

The CP added that the command had also, on August 14, rescued two kidnapped students in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state.

“As you are aware, Ebonyi, being predominantly agrarian, often experiences recurring crises over land and boundary disputes during the farming season, arising from the struggle for arable land.

“In addressing these challenges, the command has deployed early warning mechanisms to promptly detect and contain brewing disputes.

“We have also adopted a non-kinetic approach, engaging robustly with relevant stakeholders to ensure that differences are settled through civil dialogue rather than violence.

“The command continues to closely monitor flashpoints with land and boundary issues and through this proactive strategy, we are recording encouraging results while remaining vigilant in ensuring the safety of our people.

“52 suspects have already been charged to court, while investigations are ongoing for the others who will soon be arraigned,” she said.

The CP said that the command had also recovered six vehicles, 15 assorted firearms, and 50 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, while also dislodging several criminal hideouts across the state.

She said that the kidnap victims were rescued unhurt, while three suspects, James Nweke, Oliver Nwali, and Nwojiji Onyebuchi, were arrested.

“Also the operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, stormed the hideout of hoodlums terrorising Umuogodo-Akpu Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA.

“The operation led to the arrest of one Icha Chidiebere and the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one Dakota vehicle, and a Lexus 330 SUV without a registration number,” she stated.

Uche-Anya appreciated the people of Ebonyi for their continuous support and cooperation with the police.

She assured that the command would remain resolute in its mandate to protect lives and property and to sustain the peace and security of the state.