Suspected mastermind of the gruesome murder of six serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Giade Local Government Area (LGA) of Bauchi State 13 years ago during the 2011 post-election violence has been arrested by operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command.
The suspected mastermind of the gruesome murder is 35 years old Kabiru Musa who is said to be a hardened criminal that had terrorised the Giade community.
It will be recalled that on 18th April 2011, between the hours of 1230h-1300hrs a group of youths led by the said Kabiru Musa AKA ‘Dawa’ had stormed Giade Divisional Police Headquarters following the announcement of the 2011 Presidential Election result, armed themselves with dangerous weapons which included a knife popularly called Barandami, cutlasses, sticks, petrol (PMS) and attacked F/No. 020827 Woman Police Constable, late Rifkatu Bappa who was on counter duty at the charge room.
As a result, she sustained various degree of injuries and was immediately evacuated to Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Azare where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
Similarly, the said Dawa, who was the ringleader and his gang members used petrol (PMS) and set ablaze a motor vehicle, one Toyota Starlet belonging to Mr. Peter Okoye which was kept for safekeeping during the peak of the attack.
While briefing Journalists at the Police Headquarters on Thursday, Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Mohammed said: “In furtherance of this dastardly act, the said Dawa attacked one Bridget Peter Okoye, wife of Mr. Peter Okoye and cut-off her fingers, then set fire of the said motor vehicle affected/burned down the station which led to the gruesome murder of six corps members who were at the station for safety.”
The Police Commissioners listed the six murdered Corps members to include:
Nkwazema Anslem with call-up no. NYSC/OWP/2010/127350, State code; BA/10B/1160 State of origin; Imo State.
Adewumi Seun Paul with call-up no. NYSC/OOU/2010/155553, State code; BA/10B/1301, State of origin; Ekiti State.
Okpokiri Obinna with call-up no. NYSC/AUU/2010/180200, State code; BA/10C/0950, State of origin; Abia
Teidi Olawale Tosin with call-up no. NYSC/ILR/2010/215976, State code; BA/10C/1220, State of origin; Kogi State and Adewei Elliot with call-up no. NYSC/2011/0144144, State code; BA/11A/0274, State of origin; Bayelsa State.
It also includes Ukeoma Ikechukwu Chibuzor with call-up no. NYSC/UNN/2011/077160, State code; BA/11A/1354, State of origin; Imo State.
“The above-mentioned Corps members (May their soul rest in peace) tried to take to their heels while the said suspected killer (Dawa) alongside his syndicate run in pursuit of the corps members to their various locations of refuge and gruesomely murdered them one after the other,” the CP added.
He further stated that “the syndicate also attacked and broke into shops of traders and carted away valuables, further causing a breakdown of law and order.”
According to the CP: “After a manhunt for a decade, the suspect has been arrested and investigation is ongoing. After the conclusion, he will be arraigned in court based on the findings of the investigation.”
While fielding questions from journalists, the suspect denied participation in the heinous act though he said he was in Giade during the incident but did not go near the scene of the crime.
Kabiru Musa added that he is casual worker who eke a living doing menial labour jobs around the area or anywhere he is engaged.
But a member of the Giade Community who was at the Police headquarters confirmed that indeed, Kabiru Musa was the person who led the mob action leading to the gruesome murder of the Corps members and others including the Policewoman, after setting the Divisional headquarters on fire.
On why it took the Police long to seek him out, the man who did not want his name on print said that he is such a dangerous person that no one dares to snitch on him in the community.