Thirteen years after six members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were brutally murdered in post-election violence in Giade, Bauchi State, the Bauchi State Police Command has arrested the alleged ringleader responsible for the crime.
A female police officer and another civilian were also killed in the incident.
The police stated that it took a decade-long manhunt to track down the suspect, identified as Kabiru Musa, alias Dawa, due to his notoriety and the reluctance of many to provide information about him out of fear for their safety.
Providing details about the 2011 incident during a briefing at the Bauchi police headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State, Auwal Muhammad, said, “On 18th April 2011 between 12:30 and 1:00 pm, a group of youth led by one Kabiru Musa, alias Dawa, stormed the Giade Divisional Police Headquarters following the announcement of the 2011 Presidential Election result. They were armed with dangerous weapons, including a knife popularly called ‘Barandami,’ cutlasses, sticks, and petrol (PMS), and attacked Police Constable Rifkatu Bappa, who was on counter duty at the charge room. As a result, she sustained various degrees of injuries and was immediately evacuated to FMC Azare, where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.”
The commissioner further stated that Dawa, the ringleader, and his gang had set ablaze a Toyota Starlet belonging to Mr. Peter Okoye, which was kept for safekeeping during the peak of the attack.
In continuation of their heinous actions, Dawa attacked Bridget Peter Okoye, Mr. Peter Okoye’s wife, severing her fingers. The fire from the burning vehicle spread, ultimately destroying the station and leading to the gruesome murder of six NYSC members who were at the station seeking safety.
Although the NYSC members attempted to flee, Dawa and his syndicate pursued and murdered them.
The commissioner explained that the ringleader was apprehended during an investigation into a case of alleged criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide involving him and another individual. He had been arraigned in court for allegedly killing a 17-year-old girl on April 26, 2024, and dumping her body in a well. It was during this investigation that his identity as the suspect behind the 2011 murders of the NYSC members was revealed.
The police have confirmed that the suspect will be arraigned in court based on the findings of the investigation.