OPERATIVES of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested a seaman in the Nigerian Navy who allegedly shot and killed the son of a former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral I. I. Ibrahim (retd) just so he could steal the deceased Prado SUV.
Abdul Rasheed Muhammad was on guard duty at the Abuja residence of a retired Naval officer when lucre for money overtook his sense of reasoning.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, on 23 August 2024, while on a routine stop and search operation, police operatives from the Command accosted the suspect in a black-coloured Prado SUV. She said during questioning, the suspect could not give a satisfactory explanation as to how he came about the vehicle. ‘’Police operatives took him into custody and preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a Sea Man of the Nigerian Navy on guard duty at the residence of a retired Naval officer and the vehicle belongs to late Aminu Ibrahim (the son of late Admiral I. Ibrahim, a former Chief of Naval Staff), who was killed and his Prado SUV snatched on 18/08/2024 at River Benue Street Maitama,’’ Adeh said
She also stated that the suspect attempted to escape from police custody but was promptly rearrested. She said that the suspect freely confessed to being a member of a three-man gang that specialises in armed robbery/snatching of luxury vehicles and selling them off outside the FCT.
She added that the suspect also said he and his gang members have carried out three operations successfully so far. SP Adeh added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining three gang members currently at large.
When interrogated, the suspect said: “I work at the house. He wanted to go out at night, around 11:30. He said he needed security. So, I followed him with my gun. Along the way, he stopped to check his ATM, as if he was going to buy something. I thought maybe I was going to escort him to a market or somewhere. Then, when I came out through the other door, I shot him, took the car, and left. I’m a guard and a seaman in the Navy. He did not do anything to me; I killed him to steal his car.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media