4 soldiers arrested over alleged murder of NDLEA personnel

Four ex-soldiers have been apprehended over alleged slaying personel of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

SP Waisu Abiodun, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Niger Command, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the incident occurred on March 9 around Ramat junction in Bida Local Government Area.

He said,”On March 9, at about 6:20 p.m, a team of NDLEA officers were on stop and search at Ramat Junction, Bida when two suspected soldiers not in uniform, on a motorcycle were intercepted.

”The team requested for their identifications, which the suspected soldiers did not provide a proper means of identification and nothing incriminating was found on them.

”In the course of the search, there was an altercation, after which the suspects left the scene, returned with additional men reinforced to the scene and allegedly attacked NDLEA officers.”

He said during the altercation, an NDLEA officer named Kingsley Chimetalo was fatally stabbed in the back with a jackknife, and his firearm was seized. Despite efforts to save him, Chimetalo succumbed to his injuries at the Federal Medical Centre in Bida.

Prompt investigations, conducted in collaboration with the 18 Brigade, Nigeria Army Bida, resulted in the identification of six individuals, leading to their court-martial and subsequent dismissal from the military. Two suspects managed to evade capture.

He mentioned the names of the suspects to include: Sani Munzani and Abubakar Auwalu from Kano state, Abubakar Sani from Kebbi and Muazu Hassan from Edo.

He said the suspects were transferred to the police on Monday for further investigation and prosecution, and notably, one of them has already admitted to the fatal stabbing of the NDLEA officer.

Suspects under investigation in SCID Minna, to face charges and prosecution upon completion.