Authorities apprehend trio in connection with slain Kogi university graduate, retrieve pilfered three-wheeler vehicle

A trio of individuals has been apprehended by the authorities in connection with the killing of Aminu Abubakar, a recent graduate of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, whose lifeless body was discovered two weeks ago.

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The police, who effected the arrest, have also retrieved the victim's stolen tricycle, according to the authorities.

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Aminu Abubakar, a resident of the Otokiti area of Lokoja, had completed his studies at the university and was awaiting deployment for the National Youth Service Corps at the time of his demise.

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The arrests were made possible by a coordinated intelligence-led operation conducted by operatives of the Kogi State Police Command, as disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the Police Public Relations Officer.

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Afusat revealed that Aminu had left his home with his tricycle in search of passengers and daily income but failed to return, prompting concerns among his family members, and his lifeless body was later found near the Central Bank of Nigeria area in Zone 8, Lokoja.

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The police spokesperson explained that detectives from the Homicide Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department launched an investigation, which led to the apprehension of two principal suspects, Garba Godwin Ibrahim and Ashema Usman Samson.

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Preliminary findings indicated that the suspects allegedly disguised themselves as construction workers before luring the victim to a secluded area where he was attacked and killed, according to Afusat.

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Investigation revealed that the suspects attacked the victim with a shovel, and autopsy results confirmed that he sustained multiple severe blows to the back of the head, which led to his death, Afusat said.

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The suspects confessed that the murder was premeditated in order to dispossess the victim of his tricycle, according to the police spokesperson.

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After killing him, the suspects allegedly took away the tricycle and sold it to one Kabiru Idris in Ayingba, and police operatives later tracked down and arrested Idris.

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A search conducted at Idris' residence led to the recovery of the victim's tricycle as well as four other motorcycles suspected to have been stolen, and Idris admitted to buying stolen property from criminal gangs.

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Further investigations also revealed that the two main suspects are ex-convicts who had previously been linked to cases of armed robbery and homicide, according to the police.

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Afusat said the investigation has been concluded and all the suspects have been arraigned before Magistrate Court 5 in Lokoja, where they were remanded in custody pending further proceedings.