recovers stolen motorcycles, tricycle
The Kogi State Police Command has arraigned two principal suspects involved in the gruesome murder of Aminu Abubakar in Lokoja, the state capital.
The suspects, Garba Godwin Ibrahim and Ashema Usman Samson who are ex-convicts and notorious for armed robbery in the state capital, confessed to luring to kill Abubakar, a fresh graduate of Abubakar Tafawa Bello University, awaiting call-up for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The police in a press release through the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, detailed how the suspects were apprehended before arraignment.
“On 18th March, 2026, the Command received a report regarding a case of culpable homicide involving one Aminu Abubakar, a resident of the Otokiti area of Lokoja, who lived with his family. The victim, a recent graduate of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University awaiting call-up for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), had left home on the morning of the said date on his tricycle in search of daily earnings but never returned, prompting concern from his family before his lifeless body was later discovered within the vicinity of the CBN area, Zone 8, Lokoja.
“Acting swiftly on the report, operatives of the Homicide Unit, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), launched a discreet and painstaking investigation, deploying both intelligence and tactical resources to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing. The sustained investigative efforts led to the arrest of two suspects, namely Garba Godwin Ibrahim and Ashema Usman Samson.
“Investigation revealed that the suspects posed as construction workers and deceitfully lured the victim to a secluded location around the same area where his body was later found, where they attacked him with a shovel. Autopsy results confirmed that the victim sustained multiple severe blows to the back of the head with the blunt end of the shovel, resulting in extensive skull fractures and fatal intracranial injuries. The suspects admitted that the act was premeditated and carried out with the intention of dispossessing the victim of his tricycle.
“In a further breakthrough, the suspects were found to have carted away the victim’s tricycle and sold same to one Kabiru Idris of Ayingba. Acting on this lead, operatives extended the investigation, leading to his arrest. A search conducted at his residence resulted in the recovery of the victim’s tricycle, alongside four (4) other motorcycles suspected to have been stolen. The suspect admitted to having ongoing dealings with the two suspects and further admitted to receiving stolen items from other criminal elements involved in armed robbery activities,” the statement said.
The Police further noted that investigation revealed the principal suspects are ex-convicts previously convicted for cases of armed robbery and culpable homicide in which they were linked to the deaths of over sixteen persons.
Following the conclusion of investigation, the suspects were charged to Magistrate Court 5 in Lokoja, where they have been remanded in custody.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, who commended the operatives for their diligence and professionalism, assured the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to rid the State of criminal elements.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to support the Police with timely and credible information.
