The Niger State Police Command has arrested four suspected armed robbers for killing a photographer, Zaccheaus Salawudeen and dispossessing him of money and other valuables.
The report had noted that the murdered photographer was asleep with his young wife, Rachel Zaccheaus and their newly born baby in his apartment when the armed robbers, five in number, broke in, collected some money he was given by his church, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, for safe keeping, and also collected other valuables including his phone and laptop before stabbing him to death.
Investigations had disclosed that Governor Mohammed Bago Special Adviser Political Nma Kolo, who spoke to this reporter had reassured that the state would ensure that the killers did not go unpunished. He also said that the state would ensure that the wife of the late photographer was not left helpless.
Kolo said, “Zacchaeus was introduced to me by one of my aides here too as a photographer. So, I engaged him as an official photographer. Later, I got an appointment for him as a Special on Political Mobilisation.
“When he reported to this office, he was attached to the ICT and Communication Unit. He covered all my engagements. He was somebody very close to me; we worked together, a very hard-working young man, and he was dedicated to his duties. But to God be the glory, we lost Zacchaeus.
“I don’t like remembering that sad incident. Honestly, I get emotional easily because we had a very, very robust relationship. (He was) always with me, most of the time in my house even after working hours and was always ready to receive calls from us for any assignment”.
Kolo, however, assured that the government would do everything in its power to ensure that Zacchaeus’ family was not neglected and the culprits of the incident were brought to face justice.
“He is somebody that we really miss but by the special grace of God, the perpetrators of the act surely will be smoked out.
“He had a political appointment, we want to see how the wife will use that appointment for the upkeep of the children. I think that is very generous of the government.
“I think it will be in our best interest to wait for the conclusion of the investigation first then if there is anything, we can seek legal advice from the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice on the way forward. But for now, let us keep our fingers crossed and wait for the final report on the police investigation,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Police command spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun issued a statement on Tuesday disclosing that four of the suspected armed robbers who attacked Salawudeen had been arrested for murder while one was on the run.
“In furtherance of the commitment of the Police Command in the State to ensure that suspects of crime are apprehended and prosecuted accordingly. It could be recalled that on February 27th, 2024, an unfortunate incident of culpable homicide was reported at Bosso Div in which one Zaccheaus Salawudeen 33yrs of Tudun-Fulani, Minna was attacked in his residence, robbed and stabbed to death.
“Since then, the Police Command has been on the trail of the assailants and after a meticulous investigation; four suspects were apprehended on October 26th by the Crack Squad Unit of the Command at River Basin area of Minna and they are; Mustapha Ibrahim, Sniper-19yrs, Shamson Rabiu-21yrs Bashar Aliyu, Gizo-20yrs and Abdullahi Umar-19yrs.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime as they narrated that on the same date, they were discussing within the area at Rafin-Yashin and they heard that the late Zaccheaus received a contribution of a huge amount of money, hence they mobilised to his residence at midnight, attacked and robbed him of #95,000 but they felt disappointed and believed that the deceased lied to them about the amount, and one of them known as Danladi, presently at large stabbed the deceased with a knife in the stomach.
“Investigation revealed further that on August 9th, 2024, the same syndicate attacked another victim’s residence at Rafin-Yashin who initially refused to open the door for them, but they shouted that, does he want to be killed like the photographer, in the process, a neighbour identified them and he was inflicted with a serious injury of matchet cut by the robbers on the jaw, but he survived.
“However, two knives, five wraps of suspected cannabis, alcohol, matches and abandoned slippers were recovered during the arrest. Investigation is in progress, as effort is being intensified to arrest the said Danladi. Suspects have also been arraigned in court for prosecution,” Abiodun stated.
