By Olaide Oyelude
The police in Lokoja, Kogi State, have commenced an investigation into the murder of a commercial tricyclist who is awaiting deployment for the National Youths Service Scheme (NYSC).
The 25-year-old Aminu Lawal recently graduated in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maiduguri and is awaiting deployment to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Family sources revealed that Lawal, who was of humble background, used the tricycle to support himself while at school and his aged parents.
Lawal was reportedly murdered on March 18, 2026. His family members and neighbours who organised a search party for him found his charred remains in an isolated bush path opposite the Central Bank, Zone 8 area, Lokoja.
“After smashing his head with a heavy object, his attacker cut off a vein on the left side of his neck. His tricycle has also not been found since then, ” a family source said.
Lawal’s remains have since been buried in Lokoja, according to Muslim rites.
Distraught family members and neighbours feared that pressure was on the police to release the suspect.
“Aminu(Lawal) trained himself successfully through school in faraway Maiduguri. Despite the security challenges in that axis, he completed his studies only to be murdered at home. The least we can do is to find and punish his murderers. We demand a proper and timely probe that will bring anyone involved to the law,” the family source added.
Contacted, the police spokesperson, ASP Salihu Oyiza Afusat, said the Command’s operatives had already begun an investigation into the incident.
She promised to keep the public informed as the investigation progresses.
”We are still investigating the case and the Keke NAPEP. We will probe it to a logical conclusion”, Salihu said.
