The Niger State Police Command has arrested seven suspected cultists in connection with the killing a student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, IBBUL, Abdulwahab Jafar.
Recall a cult clash on June 23, 2025, resulted in the temporary closure of the institution by the state Governor Mohammed Umar Bago.
The Police command in a statement, issued by the Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun said the incident then led to other crises in Lapai community and Police tactical teams were deployed to the town after which normalcy was restored.
Abiodun stated that in a follow up investigative effort of the Command, jointly carried out by TST and FID STS, a total of 19 persons were arrested in Lapai and other locations in the state based on intelligence and other information at the disposal of the Police Command.
However, the PRO revealed that the investigation was narrowed down to seven suspects connected to the murder of Abdulwahab.
He disclosed that the suspects were found to be members of the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM), a group allegedly involved in cultist activities, including initiation, robbery, and internet fraud.
Abiodun also stated that they were involved in criminal conspiracy, robbery, unlawful society, internet fraud, having in possession of dangerous weapons and suspected culpable homicide.
The seven suspects in custody Idris Hamza 27yrs of Maikunkele, Suleiman Damilare 27yrs of Maikunkele, Abdulsemiu Bashir 23yrs of Lapai, Bawa Aliyu 27yrs of Suleja , Yakubu Musa – Pypa 24yrs of Maikunkele , Samson Abbah – Small 28yrs R/Yanshi and Solomon Musa – Cabella 28yrs of Maitumbi of the state.
Based on credible intelligence, Idris Hamza and Suleiman Damilare were arrested on June 27 at Fadikpe with cannabis, charms, and local black soaps with a Toyota Corolla vehicle at one Abdullahi Ahmed a.k.a catch-up residence.
The police image maker said the suspects confessed to being members of Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM) and further confessed to having carried out a series of cultist activities in IBBUL such as initiation of members.
“Their confessions led to the arrest of Abdulsemiu Basir, who is reasonably suspected to be a rival member of the group known as VIKINGS. Upon his arrest in Lapai at a motor park on June 29, a spot search was carried out on him, he was found in possession of 16 SIM cards, POS machine and sum of seventy-seven thousand naira, . “the PRO revealed
Abiodun further stated that investigation is still ongoing and effort to identify either VIKINGS or NBM members responsible for the attack of the deceased is intensified, as it was established that the attack was cultists related.
He added, ” Further development will be made public.
Police arrests seven student cultists over murder of Abdulwahab, student of IBBU Lapai
