Kaduna crisis: Police make arrests over death of traditional ruler

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday said some arrests have been made over the killing of the paramount ruler of the Adara, in Kaduna state, the Agwom Adara, Maiwada Raphael Galadima.

Galadima was abducted on Friday, October 19, 2018 with his wife, which sparked violence in Kasuwan Magani, that later spread to some parts of the state.


The traditional ruler was later killed by his alleged abductors after ransom was paid for his release, which triggered fresh violence despite security deployments and curfew declared in the state.

The spokesman of the NPF, DCP Jimoh Moshood, told journalists during a press conference in Abuja today that some suspects have been arrested over the killing of the traditional ruler.


Fielding questions from Journalists, Moshood said, “on that we are deep into the investigation, some suspects have been arrested, but I won’t tell you the particulars or details of these suspects.”

He said, “This is because we want to ensure that anybody that has hand in the killing of the traditional ruler for whatever reason is prosecuted.”

He said, “In Kaduna, so far we have arrested ninety three suspects for being actively responsible for the crisis in Kasuwan Magani and other crisis that occurred in locations within Kaduna state.”

He noted that forty three of these suspects are being prosecuted, while fifty are currently in Police custody while investigation is ongoing.

He explained that the ninety three suspects are from different divides and religions.

He said the Inspector General of Police directed that no stone should be left unturned in getting to the people responsible for the crisis and those sponsoring them.

He also said the IGP directed commissioners of police in all the states where the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) group are prominent to be on red alert to deal with any eventuality.

He said, “We want to use this opportunity to warn them, that Nigeria is a peaceful country, and nobody has right to hold any part or sector of the country to ransom.”

He also said the Police officer allegedly responsible for the shooting of Anita Akapson is still undergoing disciplinary process.

It would be recalled that a plain clothed police officer shot and killed 31-year-old staff of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Anita Akapson, on October 13, 2018, around Katampe new extension, Abuja.


Moshood said the process of dismissing a police officer is more tedious than that of the rank and file adding that it is longer.

He said, “But there is no justification, for an officer to take an innocent persons life, it is better to allow suspects to escape than to kill an innocent soul.”

He said, “He is in detention, and cannot unravel the investigation, he is not the only one that is being investigated, there were other officers with him when the incident occurred.”

Moshood said, “The police are investigating to determine the level of their culpability or innocence in the matter so that innocent people do not suffer.”

He noted that, “the process for his dismissal is ongoing and properly followed, after his dismissal we would parade him before the media.”

The Police yesterday also paraded eighteen suspects over kidnapping, armed robbery and car snatching in Kaduna, Niger and Katsina states.

Moshood exhibited five AK47 rifles, one locally made pump action rifle and 105, Ak47 ammunition recovered from the suspects.