The Niger State Police Command has arrested four suspects over the alleged murder of the Village Head of Zhilu, Fuka District, Munya Local Government Area, Bawa Barde, 53.
The suspects, identified as Zegi Dogari, 48; Danjuma Galadima, 50; Bashir Umar, 32; and John Doma, 35, were arrested between August 25 and 28 following investigations into the killing.
According to the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, Barde was attacked at about 3am on August 23 by assailants who inflicted severe machete injuries on him at his residence.
Abiodun explained that police operatives attached to Gwada Division were mobilised to the scene after receiving a distress call at about 7am and found the victim in a pool of blood in the backyard of his residence.
The village head was rushed to a nearby medical facility but was confirmed dead.
The police said investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly conspired to attack the village head after he intervened in a dispute involving Bashir Umar, his cousin.
The command explained that the situation was further aggravated by the deceased’s warning to Bashir to allow a grazing route through his farmland.
Investigation also uncovered another alleged source of tension involving Dogari, a herbalist, who was accused of having an affair with the deceased’s wife.
According to the police, Dogari admitted to the allegation during interrogation and was reportedly instructed to pay a N700,000 fine.
The command revealed that the various issues allegedly culminated in the suspects conspiring to attack the village head in his residence and macheting him to death.
Police further said Galadima was the deceased’s brother, Bashir was his cousin, while the other suspects were also related to the victim.
The four suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Minna, for further investigation and are expected to be arraigned for culpable homicide.
Meanwhile, the command also arrested three suspects and recovered a cow allegedly stolen from Kateregi area of Katcha Local Government Area.
The suspects include Tukur Ado, 25; Musa Ibrahim, 42; and Isah Madaki, 50. They were arrested on August 25 after police surveillance operatives attached to Kpakungu Division intercepted a red Toyota Corolla conveying a cow along the Bida-Minna Road around Gidan-Kwano.
The police PRO disclosed that the driver refused to stop for a search and sped away, prompting the operatives to pursue the vehicle until the suspects were arrested around Talba Estate Road.
The cow was recovered from the vehicle, which bore registration number AE 889 KGK.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to stealing the animal from the Kateregi area of Katcha LGA. The case remains under investigation.