5th December, 2022
The Niger State Police Command has dismissed claims that the suspects arrested over the invasion of Senator Sani Musa’s residence over the weekend were assassins.
DSP Wasiu Abiodun, Spokesperson for the Command, in a statement issued on Sunday said the suspects claimed to have been recruited by one Sherif, a purported whistleblower working for a security Agency in Abuja, to carry out a search on the senator’s house.
Sherif had claimed that the Senator was storing foreign currencies and arms in his Minna residence.
According to the statement, the suspects, identified as “Oladele Peter Akano, 49, of Kuruduma, Abuja; Abdul Salisu, 31, of Gwagwalada, Abuja; Felix Clarkson, 47, of Karo Abuja, and Babagana Alhaji, 39, of Chideri-Polo, Maiduguri”, on Saturday night, “invaded the residence of the Senator located at Tunga area of Minna in a Toyota Sienna vehicle with Reg. No. FKJ 814 GP.
“During interrogation, the suspects claimed that they were mobilised by one Sherrif, a purported whistleblower, who was reportedly claiming to be working with a security agency at Abuja, but presently at large.
“The said Sherrif invited Akano, who is a teacher in a private school at Abuja. He also invited Clarkson, an instructor in a private institute ‘INSMO’ Abuja, Salisu, who is a plumber from Gwagwalada, provided hammer and chisel for house breaking and Babagana Alhaji, with five others presently at large.”
Wasiu explained further that the Suspects confessed that Sherrif told them that there are foreign currencies and arms kept in the residence of the Politician, adding that “they travelled from Abuja to Minna for a purported execution of search without any warrant.”
He said security operatives attached to the senator’s residence suspected the fake team and raised an alarm for reinforcement.
While efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang, the arrested suspects have been transferred to SCID Minna for discreet investigation.