The Kano State Police Command has apprehended three suspects in connection with the alleged kidnapping and murder of Alhaji Atiku Mu’azu, a retired Permanent Secretary and former Chairman of the Gombe State Board of Internal Revenue Service.
Mu’azu was reportedly abducted and subsequently killed in Kano State, where he had been residing following his retirement from public service.
According to reports, the deceased received a phone call from his mechanic regarding the recovery of his stolen vehicle, prompting him to meet at a designated location to identify and retrieve the car.
Regrettably, Mu’azu did not return after this meeting. After his abduction, the perpetrators contacted his family to demand a ransom of 20 million Naira. However, the family was only able to raise 10 million Naira, which the abductors accepted. Following the retrieval of the ransom, Mu’azu's body was discovered on the roadside at a different location. One suspect has been arrested, while the mechanic involved remains at large.
The spokesperson for the police command, SP Haruna Abdullahi, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued to Punch on Sunday. He stated, "Three suspects have been apprehended in connection with the death of the retired Permanent Secretary from Gombe and are currently in our custody. Upon the completion of the investigation, the suspects will be charged in court for appropriate prosecution."
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, through a condolence message signed by the Director-General of Press Affairs at the Gombe Government House, commended the prompt actions of security agencies, which led to the apprehension of a suspect associated with this grievous crime. He emphasized the necessity for thorough investigations to ensure that justice is served expeditiously.
"On behalf of the government and the people of Gombe State, Governor Inuwa Yahaya extends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and associates of the deceased, as well as the residents of Kalishen in the Shongom Local Government Area, which was his place of origin," the statement partially conveyed.