Thirteen years after six members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were brutally murdered during post-election violence in Giade, Bauchi State, the Bauchi State Police Command has announced the arrest of the alleged ringleader responsible for the crime.
A female police officer and another civilian were also killed in the incident.
According to the police, it took a decade-long manhunt to apprehend the suspect, Kabiru Musa, alias Dawa. Known as a notorious criminal, many were reluctant to provide information about him due to 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 described how Dawa and his gang set ablaze a motor vehicle and a Toyota Starlet belonging to Mr. Peter Okoye, which were at the station for safekeeping during the attack.
In a continuation of their heinous actions, Dawa assaulted Bridget Peter Okoye, the wife of Mr. Peter Okoye, severing her fingers. The fire from the burning vehicle spread and destroyed the station, leading to the gruesome murder of six NYSC members who had sought refuge there.
The commissioner recounted that although the NYSC members attempted to flee, Dawa and his syndicate pursued and murdered them.
Dawa was apprehended during an investigation into a case of alleged criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide involving him and another individual. He had been arraigned for allegedly killing a 17-year-old girl on April 26, 2024, and disposing of her body in a well. During this investigation, his identity as the suspect behind the 2011 NYSC murders was revealed.
The police have indicated that the suspect will be arraigned in court based on the findings of the investigation.