By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
Thirteen years after six National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were tragically murdered in Bauchi State, the Command of the Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of the suspected mastermind behind the gruesome incident.
In a statement issued on Friday, the police command said, it took ten years to locate the suspect, Kabiru Musa, also known as Dawa, due to his notorious criminal background and the reluctance of many to come forward with information about him out of concern for their own safety.
TheFact Daily learns from details provided about the 2011 incident during a briefing at the Bauchi police headquarters, by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Auwal Muhammad, that on 18th April 2011 between 12:30 and 1:00 pm, a group of youth led by one Kabiru Musa,
alias Dawa, stormed the Giade Divisional Police Headquarters following the announcement of the 2011 presidential election results.
Armed with dangerous weapons, including a knife popularly called ‘Barandami,’ cutlasses, sticks, and petrol, the hoodlums attacked Police Constable Rifkatu Bappa, who was on counter duty at the charge room. As a result, she sustained various degrees of injuries and was immediately evacuated to FMC Azare, where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
The Commissioner also mentioned that Dawa, along with his accomplices, deliberately set fire to a motor vehicle and a Toyota Starlet owned by Peter Okoye, which were being stored for safekeeping during the height of the attack. Dawa also assaulted Bridget Peter Okoye, the spouse of Peter Okoye, severing her fingers in the process.
The blaze from the burning vehicle not only engulfed and destroyed the station but also resulted in the tragic deaths of the 6 NYSC members who were seeking refuge at the location. Despite the efforts of the Corpers to flee, the alleged perpetrator and his group pursued and killed them.
CP Muhammad disclosed further that the suspected mastermind was apprehended during an investigation into a case of purported criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide involving him and another individual. He was brought before the court for allegedly murdering a 17-year-old girl on April 26, 2024, and disposing of her body in a well.
It was during this inquiry that his connection to the deaths of the NYSC members in 2011 was uncovered.
The police authorities have disclosed that the suspect will face charges in court based on the outcomes of the investigation.
