Kwara NSCDC arrests suspect over murder of 60yr old man

By Muyideen Aliyu

The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 21-year-old suspect, Soliu Olarewaju Mujeeb, over the alleged kidnapping and murder of a 60-year-old electrical technician, Mr. Olarewaju Olusegun Afolabi, in Ilorin.

This was disclosed by the State Commandant, Abbas Nda Mohammed, on Sunday in Ilorin, following the outcome of an intensive investigation into the victim’s disappearance.

Commandant Mohammed stated that the victim was reported to have left home on June 7 to inspect an electrical installation project but failed to return, raising serious concerns among his family members.

The matter was subsequently reported to the NSCDC Tracking Unit on June 11 after all efforts to reach him proved unsuccessful.

Shortly after the victim’s disappearance, his family began receiving ransom demands of ₦2 million from his mobile phone. The family eventually raised and paid ₦120,000 following instructions from the caller.

Following a sustained, intelligence-led investigation which included digital tracking and the analysis of financial transactions linked to the victim’s account operatives successfully traced and arrested the suspect.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and admitted to knowing the deceased, with whom he had previously worked as an assistant in electrical installation services.

He further noted that a disagreement between them had led to a personal grievance.

The suspect reportedly lured the victim to an uncompleted building located in the Kangile, Kunlende area of Ilorin under the guise of inspecting a new electrical project.

He confessed to attacking and killing the victim at the scene, subsequently dispossessing him of his phone and SIM card, which were later used to contact the victim’s family for ransom.

In the course of the investigation, the suspect led operatives to the scene of the crime, where a shallow grave containing the remains of the victim was discovered. The victim’s mobile phone and SIM card were also recovered from the suspect’s possession.

The Command added that investigations are ongoing, after which the suspect will be transferred to the appropriate security agency for further prosecution.

Commandant Mohammed assured the people of the state that the NSCDC remains committed to protecting lives and property, and will continue to work tirelessly with other security agencies to rid the state of criminal elements.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies