Niger State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old man, Umar Jibrin, popularly known as Ba’adama for allegedly killing a Chief Imam in Edati local government area of the state.
The 48-year-old Alhaji Attahiru Alhassan was reportedly stabbed to death with an iron rod by the suspect who claimed the cleric was caught red handed having sex with his 30-year-old second wife, Aisha Umar.
Confirming the arrest to newsmen, the state Commissioner of Police, Adamu Usman, said the suspect carried out the act on Monday, April 12.
When interrogated, the suspect alleged that the cleric was having an affair with his wife. He said that while relaxing in front of his house on the said date in the evening, the Chief Imam walked past him and went towards his neighbour’s house.
He expressed that about the same time his second wife, Aishatu Umar also came out and said she was going to the toilet behind the compound.
Jibrin claimed that having waited for so long without her return, he went round searching and eventually heard her voice in the neighbor’s house.
He stated;
I entered and met the Chief Imam naked on the bed with my wife. They were sleeping together. I didn’t do anything, I left them and went to my brother’s house to report what I saw.
Jibrin noted that he lost his cool when the Chief Imam called him for a dialogue over the incident.
He stated;
In the course of the discussion, things became heated, we argued with each other and I forcefully collected the iron rod with Alhaji Alhassan and stabbed him in the neck.
Jubrin took to his heels but was apprehended at Batati village in Lavun local government area.
Youths of Enagi town mobilised to the Police station in an attempt to lynch the suspect, forcing operatives to take him down to the Police Headquarters in Minna.
Speaking while paraded in Minna, Jubrin said that he regretted his action as he did not know it will lead to the Imam’s death.
Briefing newsmen at the Police Headquarters, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said the suspect confessed he killed the Imam in the bout of anger.
He added that the suspect will be arraigned in court as soon as possible.
