Police Arrest 49 Suspects For Murder, Robbery

The FCT Police Command on Monday paraded 49 suspects for their alleged involvement in murder, armed robbery, car snatching, and other crimes. 

Two of the suspects; Alfred Leonard and Samson Agbo were paraded for allegedly killing one Michael Iorkohol.

Michael according to the Police was initially reported missing by his family members but his remains was later found in Piyako community in Abuja.

The Police recovered from the suspects the deceased’s wrist watch, belt, pieces of his shirt, palm sandals, ATM card and his ID card.

Speaking during the parade, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Ciroma said: “The Command has recorded another milestone in its fight against crime with the arrest of one Alfred Leonard; 29 years and Samson Agbo; 37 who conspired and murdered one Michael Iorkohol 47 years.

“Initially, the family reported a case of a missing person at Karu Division on 17th July, 2018 at about

1930hrs but during investigation, we got to know that the principal suspect; Alfred Leonard was the last person seen with him.

“Following the circumstances surrounding his mysterious disappearance, Leonard who was last sighted with the deceased was arrested at Kaduna after discreet investigation.

“The suspect confessed during interrogation that he conspired with one Samson Agbo to murder the deceased whose carcass was recovered from the bush at Piyako Community.”

Amongst those also paraded were; Kolawole Akin, Rasheed Kareem and Isah Ibrahim.

The Police said they disguise as journalists to steal phones and other valuables from dignitaries at major events in Abuja.

They were arrested in a church at Asokoro area of Abuja where they were picking pockets.

On the arrest of the fake journalists, Ciroma said: “On the 11th August, 2018 police operatives arrested three suspects who usually disguised as journalists to steal cash, phones and other valuables from the public gatherings.

“The suspects who operate mostly at worship and event centres where you have large gathering of important personalities were arrested at a Church in Asokoro.”

Narrating his involvement in the murder, Leonard said: “Mike was somebody who was sick and I was treating him for eight months. I was giving him medicine because he had a bulging stomach.

“He told me that he was in secret society and begged me not to tell his family members about it. They know me in his family . I advised him to go back to the society and return whatever belongs to them.

“He also told me that they had given him an hour to die on Sunday and he would die. He begged me to kill him but I declined because I am a Jukun by tribe and it is a crime to kill in my place.

“My friend Agbo was there when everything transpired. Mike asked my friend to scratch his back saying if he doesn’t and the hour given to him to die passes that his daughters would also die.

He continued: “I did not kill Mike with my hand. Mike begged to be killed. I did not kill him with my hand. I told him to die himself. I opted to take him home. Mike then told my colleague that he should scratch his back and once blood comes out, he will die.

“We only helped him. We didn’t kill him because we wanted anything from him. My friend scratched him and he died.”

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Also narrating his involvement, one of the fake journalists, Akin said: “I work with African Peoples Voice. We were On our way to Asokoro to pick something from a friend when we noticed cars parked with lots of crowd in front of the church.

“We went in and disguised as journalists. We go to such gatherings like that to steal but I didn’t steal on that day. It was my friend that picked things from people’s pockets and bags.

“We normally go to such gatherings to pick pockets because people don’t suspect that journalists would steal.”

The CP said the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation. 

He also assured members of the public that the Command has made adequate security arrangements that will cover Eid praying grounds and recreational facilities during the Sallah period.