The Niger State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the alleged murder of the Village Head of Zhilu, Fuka District, in Munya Local Government Area of the state.
The deceased, identified as 53-year-old Bawa Barde, was reportedly attacked at his residence around 3am on August 23, 2026.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the victim sustained severe machete wounds during the attack. Police operatives from the Gwada Division were mobilised to the area after receiving a distress call at about 7am and found Barde critically injured in the backyard of his residence.
He was subsequently taken to a nearby medical facility, where he was confirmed dead.
The police said investigations led to the arrest of four suspects between August 25 and 28. They were identified as Zegi Dogari, 48; Danjuma Galadima, 50; Bashir Umar, 32; and John Doma, 35.
Preliminary investigations reportedly indicated that the suspects allegedly conspired to attack the village head following disputes involving some of them.
Police said one of the issues stemmed from Barde’s intervention in a disagreement involving Bashir Umar, who is reportedly his cousin. The deceased had also allegedly warned Umar to permit a grazing route through his farmland, which reportedly heightened the tension.
Another alleged source of conflict involved Dogari, a herbalist, who was accused of having an affair with the deceased’s wife. The police said Dogari admitted to the allegation during interrogation and was reportedly ordered to pay a N700,000 fine.
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The command said the various disputes allegedly culminated in a conspiracy to attack the village head at his residence, resulting in his death.
The police further disclosed that Galadima was the deceased’s brother, while Umar was his cousin. The other suspects were also said to have family ties with the victim.
The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation and are expected to face charges of culpable homicide.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command also announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with the alleged theft of a cow in Katcha Local Government Area.
The suspects—Tukur Ado, 25; Musa Ibrahim, 42; and Isah Madaki, 50—were arrested on August 25 after police surveillance operatives intercepted a red Toyota Corolla conveying a cow along the Bida-Minna Road.
The police said the driver allegedly refused to stop for a search and sped away, leading officers to pursue the vehicle until it was intercepted around Talba Estate Road.
The cow was recovered from the vehicle, which reportedly had registration number AE 889 KGK.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly confessed during interrogation to stealing the animal from the Kateregi area of Katcha LGA. Investigations into the case are ongoing.
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