Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have confirmed the arrest of 18-year-old panel beater Fatiyah Abdulhakeem on Sunday, following the alleged brutal murder of former Permanent Secretary Adamu Jagaba.
Abdulhakeem is accused of stabbing Jagaba in the head before fleeing with his car, an act that has shocked the community. The crime occurred after Abdulhakeem visited Jagaba's block moulding business to discuss repairs to a vehicle. Abdulhakeem reportedly attacked Jagaba, fatally wounding him, and then drove off in the victim's car, leaving him behind in a pool of blood.
Jagaba, who had retired from his position at the State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, was also involved in the block moulding business located at the Eastern Bye-Pass in Minna. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he was pronounced dead upon arrival, further deepening the tragedy for his family and the local community.
According to Punch Online, an eyewitness named Nuhu Abubakar described the chilling scene. Abubakar confirmed that there was no argument between Abdulhakeem and Jagaba before the attack. He said, “The incident occurred on Saturday. The panel beater came to the Jagaba industry to fix the car. There was no argument. The next thing we saw was the panel beater getting into the car and driving away, while the permanent secretary lay in a pool of blood, writhing in pain.”
Niger State Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the details of the incident, noting that the suspect was apprehended along with the stolen vehicle. “On December 7, 2024, at around 3 pm, a report of culpable homicide was made at Tudun-Wada Division. The report stated that at approximately 11:30 am, an unknown individual attacked and stabbed Adamu Jagaba at his block industry along Eastern Bye-Pass, Minna, and drove off with his vehicle. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but was later confirmed dead,” Abiodun stated in his report.
Abiodun further revealed that during questioning, the suspect admitted to committing the crime. Abdulhakeem confessed that he had conspired with some of Jagaba’s workers to execute the attack. “The suspect confessed that he had worked as the victim’s car painter and had visited the block industry to discuss repairing the car’s bumper. He deliberately stabbed the victim multiple times in the head and neck, struck him with a stapler, and then took the vehicle, a Toyota Camry with registration number MNA 61 AE,” Abiodun explained.
Additionally, Abdulhakeem implicated other members of the gang involved in the crime. The police have intensified efforts to apprehend these individuals, who are believed to have played a role in the murder and theft. Once the investigation is concluded, Abdulhakeem will be formally charged in court, and further legal actions will be taken against all those involved in the heinous act.
