In a shocking development, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a Nigerian Navy personnel, Abdul Rasheed Muhammad, in connection with the murder of Aminu Ibrahim, the son of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I. I. Ibrahim (retd).
The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, CP Benneth Igweh, revealed details of the arrest during a press briefing. According to Igweh, police operatives were conducting a routine stop-and-search operation, on August 18, 2024, when they intercepted the suspect driving a black Prado SUV. The vehicle was flagged down by the police for a routine check, but the suspect, Abdul Rasheed Muhammad, could not provide a satisfactory explanation as to how he came into possession of the vehicle.
“During the stop-and-search operation, our officers noticed something suspicious about the driver of the SUV. Upon questioning, the suspect failed to give a reasonable account of how he acquired the vehicle,” CP Igweh stated. “This prompted the officers to take him into custody for further investigation.”
Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle belonged to the late Aminu Ibrahim, who had been killed just days earlier on August 18, 2024. The police confirmed that the suspect is a Seaman in the Nigerian Navy and was on guard duty at the residence of the retired Vice Admiral I. I. Ibrahim, the father of the deceased.
The police commissioner disclosed that during interrogation, Muhammad made a chilling confession, admitting to the murder of Aminu Ibrahim with the sole motive of stealing his SUV. The suspect recounted the events leading up to the crime, stating that he was on duty at the time of the incident and had accompanied Ibrahim on what seemed to be a routine outing.
“I was working at the house that night,” Muhammad confessed. “He wanted to go out around 11:30 PM and asked for security. I followed him with my gun, thinking I was just going to escort him. Along the way, he stopped at an ATM as if he was going to buy something. When I got out of the car, I shot him, took the car, and left.”
Muhammad’s confession revealed that the murder was premeditated, driven by the desire to steal the vehicle. The suspect further admitted that he was part of a three-man gang that specialized in armed robbery and the snatching of luxury vehicles, which were then sold outside the FCT. “I’m a guard and a seaman in the Navy. He did not do anything to me; I killed him to steal his car,” he admitted.
After his initial arrest, the suspect attempted to escape from police custody. However, he was quickly rearrested, and additional security measures were put in place to prevent any further attempts. “The suspect tried to escape, but our officers acted swiftly to rearrest him. He is now securely in our custody,” CP Igweh assured.
The commissioner also mentioned that the police are actively working to apprehend the remaining members of the gang, who are currently at large. “Our investigation is ongoing, and we are making concerted efforts to track down and arrest the other gang members involved in this heinous crime,” she said.
CP Benneth Igweh assured the public that the FCT Police Command is committed to ensuring justice is served. He emphasised that the police are working tirelessly to bring all those involved to justice and to restore a sense of safety and security within the community.
“We want to reassure the public that the FCT Police Command is taking all necessary steps to ensure that justice is done. We will not rest until all the culprits are brought to book,” Igweh affirmed.
