Seven Cult members arrested by Police operatives over alleged murder of Student
Seven Cult members arrested by Police operatives over alleged murder of Student
The Niger State Police Command has arrested seven individuals linked to the murder of Abdulwahab Jafar, a student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), in a suspected cult-related incident.
The student’s death occurred following a violent clash between rival cult groups on June 23, 2025, which prompted Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to order a temporary shutdown of the university.
The unrest also triggered broader disturbances in the Lapai community, leading to the deployment of police tactical units to restore order.
According to a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, a combined team from the Tactical Support Team (TST) and the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (FID STS) launched an intensive investigation.
As a result, 19 individuals were initially taken into custody across Lapai and other parts of the state, based on actionable intelligence.
Further scrutiny narrowed the list to seven suspects believed to be directly involved in Abdulwahab’s murder.
Abiodun confirmed that these individuals are alleged members of the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM), a group associated with cult-related crimes including initiations, armed robbery, and cyber fraud.
The suspects currently in custody include: Idris Hamza (27) of Maikunkele,Suleiman Damilare (27) of Maikunkele, Abdulsemiu Bashir (23) of Lapai, Bawa Aliyu (27) of Suleja, Yakubu Musa, also known as Pypa (24) of Maikunkele, Samson Abbah, also known as Small (28) of R/Yanshi, Solomon Musa, also known as Cabella (28) of Maitumbi
Police revealed that Hamza and Damilare were apprehended on June 27 in the Fadikpe area while in possession of cannabis, charms, and local black soap. They were arrested at the residence of one Abdullahi Ahmed, popularly known as “Catch-up.”
A Toyota Corolla vehicle was also recovered during the operation.
The suspects reportedly admitted to being NBM members and confessed to engaging in several cult-related activities at IBBUL, including the initiation of new members.
Their confessions led to the arrest of another suspect, Abdulsemiu Bashir, who is believed to be affiliated with a rival cult group known as the VIKINGS. Bashir was picked up at a motor park in Lapai on June 29.
A search of his belongings uncovered 16 SIM cards, a POS machine, and ₦77,000 in cash.
SP Abiodun confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with efforts focused on identifying all individuals involved in the deadly attack, whether from NBM or VIKINGS.
He emphasized that the evidence so far clearly indicates that the murder was cult-related.
