The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects for allegedly killing an Okada rider in Suleja, the headquarters of Suleja Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement signed by the Niger State Police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, Sunday Paul, 22 years of Timber-shed, Suleja and Bali Joshua, 33 years of Kwamba area, Suleja were arrested.
Abiodun also stated that the two suspects were arrested in connection with the culpable homicide of one Boniface Chinanwa, 45 years of Morocco Road, Suleja.
He also said that a third suspect, Zingfa Selchak, who is still at large had contracted both Paul and Joshua over his intention to snatch the tricycle from the owner and begged for their assistance in carrying out the dastardly act.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed that on 17/05/2023 at about 1900hrs that they were invited by one Zingfa Selchak of the same address but presently at large,” Abiodun said.
“Selchak briefed them on his intention to snatch a tricycle and that he needed their assistance to perpetrate the act.
“He took them to somewhere along Kwamba Road, opposite Timber-shed, and told them to wait for him.
“Shortly, he appeared with a tricycle rider, whom he deceitfully contracted to convey some goods for him.
“They jointly moved to a nearby corner with the rider pretending to start packing the goods into the tricycle.
“Suddenly, the said Zingfa placed a cable on the neck of the rider from the rear and strangulated him to death with the help of Bali while Sunday tied the hands of the victim.”
The suspects were said to have also searched the victim, and stolen his phone and other valuables in his possession.
Abiodun said Zingfa thereafter drove the tricycle to an unknown destination while Bali and Sunday dropped the body of the deceased by the roadside where it was discovered the following morning.
On May 23, based on a tip-off, Police operatives attached to ‘A’ Division, Suleja arrested the two suspects while the third suspect, Zingfa, is on the run, according to the Niger Police spokesman.
Abiodun said the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in the Minna area of Niger for further investigation.
He added that effort was being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect and to also recover the tricycle with other valuables stolen.
