The Kogi State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the killing of a recent graduate of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and recovered his stolen tricycle.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said in a statement issued early Wednesday that the arrests were made following a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation targeting violent crime.

According to the police, the victim, Aminu Abubakar, a resident of the Otokiti area of Lokoja, had recently completed his studies and was awaiting mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps. He reportedly left home with his tricycle to earn a living but failed to return, raising alarm among family members.

His body was later found near the CBN area in Zone 8, Lokoja.

Afusat said operatives of the Homicide Unit under the State Criminal Investigation Department launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of two suspects, identified as Garba Godwin Ibrahim and Ashema Usman Samson.

Preliminary findings indicated that the suspects allegedly disguised themselves as construction workers and lured the victim to an isolated location, where they attacked him. An autopsy revealed that he sustained multiple blows to the back of the head with a shovel, resulting in his death. Police said the suspects admitted the act was premeditated to dispossess him of his tricycle.

The spokesperson added that the stolen tricycle was sold to a third suspect, Kabiru Idris, in Ayingba. Police later tracked and arrested Idris, recovering the tricycle along with four other motorcycles suspected to have been stolen.

Investigators said Idris confessed to dealing in stolen property and sourcing items from criminal groups.

Further checks revealed that the two main suspects are ex-convicts previously linked to armed robbery and homicide cases.

Afusat said the investigation has been concluded and the suspects have been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Lokoja, where they were remanded in custody.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, commended the operatives for their efforts and urged residents to remain vigilant and provide useful information to security agencies.