In a chilling turn of events, a Nigerian Navy personnel, Abdul Rasheed Muhammad, has been arrested for the brutal murder of Aminu Ibrahim, the son of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I. I. Ibrahim (retd).
The horrifying incident took place two weeks ago in the upscale Maitama area of Abuja, where Aminu was ambushed, killed, and his vehicle stolen by someone who was supposed to protect him.
Speaking during the parade of the suspect in Abuja on Wednesday, Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, revealed the gruesome details. “About two weeks ago, Aminu Ibrahim, the son of Vice Admiral I. I. Ibrahim (retd), a former Chief of Naval Staff, was robbed and killed in the Maitama area of Abuja, and his Prado SUV was taken. I want to inform you that Abdul Rasheed Muhammad, a serving Nigerian Navy personnel, committed the murder. He has confessed to the crime, and we have recovered the Prado Jeep,” Igweh said.
According to Igweh, the crime unraveled when Muhammad was spotted driving the stolen SUV.
“He was seen driving in the SUV and during questioning, the suspect could not give a satisfactory explanation as to how he came about the vehicle. Police operatives took him into custody, and preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a Seaman of the Nigerian Navy on guard duty at the residence of a Retired Naval officer, and the vehicle belongs to the late Aminu Ibrahim,” the Commissioner added.
In a shocking admission, Muhammad recounted how he betrayed the trust placed in him. “I work in the house. He wanted to come out at night. It was 11:30. He said he needed security. So, I followed him with my gun. Along the way, he stopped. He was checking his ATM because I thought maybe he was going to buy something. Maybe I was going to escort him to a market or something like that. Then when I came out through the other door, I shot him to carry the car and go,” Muhammad confessed with chilling indifference.
“I’m a guard. I’m serving in the Navy. I am a seaman. He did not do anything for me, I just killed him to take his car.”
Adding to the horror, Igweh disclosed that Muhammad attempted to escape from custody but was quickly rearrested. “While in custody, the suspect attempted to escape from Police custody but was promptly rearrested,” he noted.
The gruesome murder of Aminu Ibrahim is not the only crime that rocked Abuja recently.
The police also paraded twin brothers, Obike David and Obike Stanley, notorious for their involvement in ATM card theft. The twins preyed on unsuspecting ATM users, pretending to assist them, only to swap their cards and withdraw money from their accounts.
“Police operatives from FCT Police command trailed and arrested twin brothers, Obike David and Obike Stanley, who specialize in ATM card theft. They execute their plans by claiming to assist unsuspecting persons who seem new to the operation of ATMs. While at it, they swap their ATM cards and proceed to withdraw money from the accounts of their victims,” Igweh said.
The Commissioner further revealed the arrest of 94 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) following the deaths of two police officers, ASP Innocent Agabi and Inspector Alex Odeh, during a recent clash.
“Interrogations are ongoing and suspects will be charged to court after investigations,” Igweh added.
As the nation grapples with these disturbing incidents, the cold-blooded murder of Aminu Ibrahim by someone entrusted with his safety casts a dark shadow over the integrity of those tasked with upholding law and order.