By Sarah NEGEDU
The police in the Federal Capital Territory have arrested a Sea Man in the Nigerian Navy, in connection to the August 18th murder of the son of a former Chief of Naval Staff, late Admiral I. Ibrahim.
The deceased, late Aminu Ibrahim (the son of late Admiral I. Ibrahim), was killed and his Prado SUV snatched along the River Benue Street in Maitama.
However, the Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, told journalists on Wednesday, that one Abdulrasheed Muhammed, was arrested days later, with a black Prado SUV, during a routine stop and search operation.
Igweh said the suspect who could not give a satisfactory explanation as to how he came about the vehicle, has since confessed to the murder of the late Aminu Ibrahim.
According to the CP, “Police operatives took him into custody and preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a Sea Man of the Nigerian Navy on guard duty at the residence of a Retired Naval officer and the vehicle belongs to late Aminu Ibrahim (the son of late Admiral I. Ibrahim a former Chief of Naval Staff), who was killed and his Prado SUV snatched on 18/08/2024 at river Benue Street Maitama.
“While in custody, the suspect attempted to escape from Police custody but was promptly rearrested. Suspect freely confessed to being a member of a three man gang who specialize in armed robbery/snatching of luxury vehicles and selling them off outside the FCT. They have carried out three operations successfully so far. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining three gang members currently at large.”
The CP who also listed other achievements recorded by the command in recent times, disclosed that the police also arrested a syndicate of ATM card thieves who specialize in swapping ATM cards from unsuspecting victims and withdrawing money from their account.
He said police operatives from FCT Police command trailed and arrested twin brothers; Obike David and Obike Stanley who specialize in ATM card theft.
“They execute their plans by claiming to assist unsuspecting persons who seem new to the operation of ATM machines. While at it, they swap their ATM cards and proceed to withdraw money from the accounts of their victims. During interrogation, they freely confessed to the crime and will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.”
The police commissioner who also took the opportunity to recount last Sunday’s face-off between the police and members of the Shi’ite group, said the attack was unprovoked.
“On 25/08/2024 at about 11:30AM, six (6) Police personnel drafted from various divisions and posted to Wuse market junction came under sudden and unprovoked attack by members of the proscribed sect called “Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN,” AKA Shiite.
“The six (6) police officers, who were attacked by the suspects wielding dane-guns, machetes, IEDs and stones, were rushed to Muhammadu Buhari Police Hospital where ASP Innocent Agabi and Inspector Alex Odeh were confirmed dead by medical doctors on duty while four (4) other officers are on admission and in critical condition.
“Members of the Sect also set ablaze three (3) patrol vehicles and damaged one other. So far, ninety-four (94) members of the proscribed sect linked to the heinous attack are in custody. Interrogations are ongoing and suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.”
