The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of an 18-year-old panel beater, Fatiyah Abdulhakeem, for allegedly killing a former Permanent Secretary, Adamu Jagaba, and stealing his car.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday at Jagaba’s block-moulding industry along the Eastern Bye-Pass in Minna, the state capital.
Abdulhakeem is accused of stabbing the retired official multiple times in the head and neck before fleeing with his Toyota Camry, with registration number MNA 61 AE.
An eyewitness, Nuhu Abubakar, described the attack as sudden and unprovoked. “The incident happened on Saturday. The panel beater came to the Jagaba industry to fix the car. There was no argument.
The next thing we saw was that the panel beater entered the car and drove away while the permanent secretary was lying in a pool of his blood and writhing in pain,” Abubakar stated.
Jagaba, who previously served in the Niger State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the arrest of Abdulhakeem and the recovery of the stolen vehicle.
Abiodun also revealed that the suspect had conspired with some of Jagaba’s workers to carry out the crime.
“On December 7, 2024, at about 3 pm, a report of culpable homicide was made at Tudun-Wada Division.
The report indicated that at about 11:30 am, an unknown person(s) trespassed into a block industry along the Eastern Bye-Pass in Minna, attacked, and stabbed one Adamu Jagaba on the head before making away with his vehicle,” Abiodun said.
He added, “The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was confirmed dead. Police operatives visited the scene for investigation.”
Abdulhakeem was apprehended the same day when the Police Crack Squad intercepted the stolen vehicle along Bosso Estate Road, Minna. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime and implicated others in the conspiracy.
According to Abiodun, the suspect disclosed that he had discussed repairing the car bumper with the victim before launching the attack. Abdulhakeem reportedly admitted to stabbing Jagaba several times and striking him with a stapler in his office before fleeing with the vehicle.
The suspect further claimed he had been assisted by some of Jagaba’s workers, who provided him with information to facilitate the crime.
He also identified other gang members involved in similar acts, whose names have been provided to the police for further investigation.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Abdulhakeem’s accomplices. The suspect will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after the investigation is concluded.
The incident underscores the growing concerns about violent crimes in the region, prompting renewed calls for enhanced security measures.
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