Three persons have been arrested in connection with the killing of Aminu Abubakar, a recent graduate of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, who was found dead about two weeks ago in Lokoja.
The Kogi State Police Command also confirmed that the victim’s stolen tricycle has been recovered as part of the investigation.
Aminu, who lived in the Otokiti area of Lokoja, had reportedly just completed his studies and was waiting to be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps before the tragic incident occurred.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Police Public Relations Officer Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the arrests were made following a coordinated intelligence-led operation by operatives of the state command.
Police said the victim had left home with his tricycle in search of passengers and daily earnings, but never returned, prompting concern from his family. His body was later discovered near the Central Bank of Nigeria axis in Zone 8, Lokoja.
Investigators from the Homicide Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department were said to have launched a probe that led to the arrest of two main suspects identified as Garba Godwin Ibrahim and Ashema Usman Samson.
According to the police, preliminary findings suggest the suspects allegedly disguised themselves as construction workers before luring Aminu to a secluded location where he was attacked and killed.
Police said the victim was allegedly assaulted with a shovel, while an autopsy reportedly confirmed that he suffered multiple severe injuries to the back of the head, which caused his death.
The command said the suspects later confessed that the killing was planned in order to steal the victim’s tricycle.
After the alleged murder, the tricycle was reportedly sold to a third suspect, Kabiru Idris, in Ayingba. Police said they later tracked him down and arrested him.
A search at Idris’ residence reportedly led to the recovery of Aminu’s tricycle, along with four other motorcycles suspected to have been stolen.
According to the police, Idris admitted to buying stolen property from criminal gangs, while further investigations allegedly revealed that the two principal suspects are ex-convicts previously linked to armed robbery and homicide-related cases.
The police said the investigation has now been concluded, and all three suspects have been arraigned before Magistrate Court 5 in Lokoja, where they were remanded pending further legal proceedings.
The case has triggered fresh concern over insecurity and targeted violence against young Nigerians trying to build honest livelihoods, especially in commercial transport work where people often move alone and are vulnerable to ambush.