Fresh graduate killed in Kogi after escaping Maiduguri violence

A fresh graduate of the University of Maiduguri, Aminu Lawal, who survived years of insecurity in the North-East, was murdered in Lokoja, Kogi State, just weeks before his anticipated mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the arrest of suspects linked to the killing, which occurred along the Zone […]

A fresh graduate of the University of Maiduguri, Aminu Lawal, who survived years of insecurity in the North-East, was murdered in Lokoja, Kogi State, just weeks before his anticipated mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the arrest of suspects linked to the killing, which occurred along the Zone 8–CBN main driveway.

Lawal, who recently returned to Lokoja and resided at Otokiti Estate, was declared missing by his family on March 18 after he failed to return home.

His remains were discovered the following day in a secluded bush path opposite the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in the Zone 8 area of Lokoja.

Sources said the deceased had responded to a call from a supposed client who asked him to pick up items from a farm in the area, a request that turned out to be a trap.

A family member, identified as Ahmed, described the incident as tragic and heartbreaking.

“Aminu trained himself through school in faraway Maiduguri. Despite the security challenges there, he completed his studies, only to be murdered at home,” he said.

He noted that Lawal had recently acquired a tricycle on hire purchase to sustain himself while awaiting his NYSC call-up letter.

“A customer called him to pick up loads from a farm, not knowing it was a setup. After smashing his head with a heavy object, the attackers severed a vein on the left side of his neck. His tricycle is still missing,” Ahmed added.

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested a suspect, identified as Garuba, an acquaintance of the deceased and a fellow resident of Otokiti Estate, on March 25 in connection with the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Kogi Police Command, ASP Hafzatt Oyiza, who confirmed the incident, assured that the command would conduct a thorough investigation.

She said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.

“We are still investigating the case, including the whereabouts of the missing tricycle. We will pursue it to a logical conclusion and make our findings public,” she said.