A suspected kidnapper, who was part of a syndicate involved in the abduction of a 23-year-old student from Bauchi State University, met his demise when he collapsed and died while trying to evade arrest at a military checkpoint.
The deceased, along with two accomplices, had kidnapped the student and seized a 2010 model Toyota Camry to facilitate their escape with the victim.
Their luck ran out when they reached a military checkpoint manned by the operatives of the 133 Special Forces Battalion based in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi state. The military promptly apprehended them.
Upon the arrest, the deceased attempted to flee but suddenly collapsed. He was immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Center in Azare, where a medical doctor pronounced him dead.
Ahmed Wakil, the Police Public Relations Officer of Bauchi State Command, released a media statement regarding the incident on Tuesday.
Superintendent of Police Wakil confirmed that the troops of the Special Forces Battalion had handed over the other two suspects to the police command.
Wakil stated, “Based on inter-agency collaboration to complement the constitutional mandates of the Police as a lead agency in maintaining internal security, six suspects were handed over to the Command by operatives of the 133 Special Forces Battalion based in Azare, Bauchi state.”
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had abducted a 23-year-old student from Bauchi State University, Gadau, who resided in the Federal Low Cost area of Azare town, Bauchi state. They had also snatched a Toyota Camry 2010 (withheld registration number) and swiftly headed towards the Misau town route.
“Upon receiving the distress call, the military stationed at the checkpoint responded immediately and intercepted the stolen vehicle alongside the suspects. The victim was rescued unharmed,” Wakil added.
He further mentioned that the arrested suspects were found in possession of eight different mobile phones, knives, and assorted charms (juju). The suspects confessed to the crime during the course of the investigation. The police have initiated a discreet investigation, after which the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.
In a separate incident, Bauchi State Command operatives arrested Suleiman Samaila, a 32-year-old student of Bauchi State University, Itas Gadau Campus, for causing grievous harm to a fellow student.
According to Wakil, a report indicated that on June 10, 2023, at around 5:15 pm, a dispute broke out among the students during a friendly football match at the off-campus football pitch.
“Suleiman Samaila attacked Safiyanu Adam Musa, a 23-year-old 200-level bio-chemistry student of the same institution. As a result, the victim sustained a serious injury to his left hand,” Wakil explained.
Upon receiving the report, a police team visited the scene and transported the victim to the Federal Medical Centre in Azare for medical attention. The victim is currently recovering from the deep cut he sustained during the incident.
Wakil confirmed that the arrested suspect has confessed to the crime and will face charges in court once the discreet investigation is completed.