A suspected kidnapper who was part of a syndicate that abducted a 23-year-old student of the Bauchi State University, slumped and died while trying to escape arrest at a military checkpoint.
The deceased and two others who kidnapped the student were said to have also snatched a Toyota Camry 2010 model which they used in taking their victim away.
However, they ran out of luck when they got to a military checkpoint mounted by operatives of the 133 Special Forces Battalion Battalion based in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi state, where they were promptly arrested.
Meanwhile, the deceased immediately escaped at the scene of the arrest but suddenly slumped and was rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Azare where he was certified dead by a medical doctor.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, Ahmed Wakil, disclosed these in a media statement he made available to journalists in the state on Tuesday.
Wakil, a Superintendent of Police, said that two other suspects were handed over to the Command by troops of the Special Forces Battalion.
He said: “Based on inter-agency collaboration towards complementing the constitutional mandates of the Police as a lead Agency in maintaining the internal security, six suspects were handed over to the Command by operatives of 133 Special Forces Battalion based in Azare, Bauchi state.
“Preliminary investigation uncovered that the suspects kidnapped a 23-year old student of Bauchi State University, Gadau, residing at Federal Low Cost of Azare town, Bauchi state and whisked away the victim along with a snatched Toyota Camry 2010 with Reg No. (Withheld), took their victim swiftly headed to 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.
“However, one of the suspects Damilola James, male, of Turum area of Bauchi slumped while trying to escape before reaching the checkpoint and was taken to Federal Medical Center (FMC) Azare for immediate medical attention but certified dead by a medical doctor.”
He said that exhibits found in the suspects’ possession are: Eight different mobile phones, knives and assorted charms (Juju).
According to him, during further Investigation, all the suspects confessed to the crime, adding that a discreet investigation has commenced after which the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution.
Similarly, the PPRO said that operatives attached to the Command have arrested Suleiman Samaila, male (32), a student of Bauchi State University, Itas Gadau Campus for causing grievous hurt to a fellow student.
He said that a report available to the Command revealed that on June 10, 2023, at about 5.15 pm, a misunderstanding ensued among the students of Bauchi State University, Itas Gadau campus during a friendly football match at the off-campus football pitch.
“In the event, one Safiyanu Adam Musa, male (23), a 200-level bio-chemistry student of the same institution was attacked by the said Suleiman Samaila. As a result, the victim sustained a serious injury on his left hand.
“Upon receipt of the report, a team of policemen visited the scene and conveyed the victim to the Federal Medical Centre, Azare for medical attention. The victim is recuperating from the deep cut sustained during the incident,” he said.
Wakil said that the arrested suspect has confessed to his crime and would be charged in court for the established offences upon completion of the discreet investigation.
*(Courtesy, excluding headline, The PUNCH)
