The Niger State Police Command has arrested four suspects over the alleged murder of the 53-year-old Bawa Barde, the Village Head of Zhilu, Fuka District, Munya Local Government Area.
The suspects, who were the deceased’s brothers and cousins, identified as Zegi Dogari, Danjuma Galadima, Bashir Umar, and John Doma, were arrested between August 25 and 28 following investigations into the killing.
In a statement by the Police spokesman, Superintendent Wasi’u Abiodun, Barde was attacked at about 3 am on August 23 by assailants who inflicted severe machete injuries on him at his residence.
The police said the investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly conspired to attack the village head after he intervened in a dispute involving Bashir Umar, his cousin.
The command explained that the situation was further aggravated by the deceased’s warning to Bashir to allow a grazing route through his farmland.
Investigation also uncovered another alleged source of tension involving Dogari, a herbalist, who was accused of having an affair with the deceased’s wife.
According to the police, Dogari admitted to the allegation during interrogation and was reportedly instructed to pay a 700,000 naira fine.
The four suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Minna, for further investigation and are expected to be arraigned for culpable homicide.
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