Panel beater kills former perm sec in Niger

Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have arrested 18-year-old panel beater, Fatiyah Abdulhakeem, for allegedly killing Adamu Jagaba, a former Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

The crime took place on Saturday when Abdulhakeem is said to have stabbed Jagaba in the head before stealing his car.

Jagaba, who also ran a block moulding business at the Eastern Bye Pass in Minna, was found by an eyewitness, Nuhu Abubakar, in a pool of his blood after the attack.

Abdulhakeem, after the attack, reportedly got into Jagaba’s Toyota Camry and drove off, leaving the victim bleeding on the ground. Jagaba was rushed to a nearby hospital but was later pronounced dead.

The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident, with spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun stating that the police were alerted around 3 p.m. on December 7, 2024.

According to Abiodun, the police received information that Jagaba had been attacked and stabbed at his block industry and that the perpetrator had fled with his vehicle.

Later that evening, at about 7 p.m., police operatives from the Command’s Crack Squad intercepted the stolen vehicle along Bosso Estate Road in Minna. Abdulhakeem was apprehended at the scene.

During interrogation, he confessed to killing Jagaba, explaining that he had visited the victim to discuss repairing the car’s bumper. He then deliberately stabbed Jagaba multiple times in the head and neck, before fleeing with the car.

Abdulhakeem also revealed that he had conspired with some of Jagaba’s workers, who had provided information about the victim’s movements and helped him plan the crime.

He further mentioned other gang members involved in similar crimes, and police efforts are underway to apprehend them.

Abdulhakeem is expected to be charged in court once the investigation is completed.