The Niger State Police Command has confirmed that seven suspects have been indicted in connection with the June 23 killing of 23-year-old Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL) student, Abdulwahab Jafar, whose death during a cult-related attack shocked the campus community and triggered unrest in Lapai town.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement on Tuesday, said 19 suspects were initially arrested in Lapai and other parts of the state, but further investigations narrowed the figure down to seven who are now being prosecuted for criminal conspiracy, robbery, unlawful society, internet fraud, possession of dangerous weapons, and suspected culpable homicide.
The suspects are:
Idris Hamza (27, Maikunkele)
Suleiman Damilare (27, Maikunkele)
Abdulsemiu Bashir (23, Lapai)
Bawa Aliyu (27, Suleja)
Yakubu Musa a.k.a Pypa (24, Maikunkele)
Samson Abbah a.k.a Small (28, Rafin-Yanshi)
Solomon Musa a.k.a Cabella (28, Maitumbi)
According to SP Abiodun, Idris Hamza and Suleiman Damilare were arrested on June 27 with cannabis, charms, and a Toyota Corolla vehicle at the residence of one Abdullahi Ahmed, also known as “Catch-up.” The duo confessed to being members of the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM) and admitted to initiating new members and carrying out cult activities on the IBBUL campus.
Their confessions led to the arrest of Abdulsemiu Bashir, identified as a rival member of the Vikings confraternity. He was found with 16 SIM cards, a POS machine, and ₦77,000 allegedly linked to stolen phones from robbery victims. Other suspects, including Bawa Aliyu, Yakubu Musa, Samson Abbah, and Solomon Musa, were implicated in a series of violent attacks and robberies on student lodges, with proceeds allegedly used to finance cult activities and internet fraud.
Abiodun added that Abbah, who graduated from the Federal Polytechnic Bida in 2017, served as an administrator of a WhatsApp group used by cult members to coordinate their activities. The platform, initially named “Men That Matters,” was later changed to “Football News” in an attempt to disguise its purpose.
The police spokesperson said the Command has established that Jafar’s killing was cult-related, but investigations are ongoing to determine whether NBM or Vikings members were directly responsible for the fatal attack.
“The Command remains committed to unmasking all those behind the death of the student and bringing them to justice. Further developments will be made public,” SP Abiodun assured.
