Police Confirm Death Of Key Suspect In Offa Robbery, After Initial Denial

Michael Adikwu, the robbery suspected who spearheaded the April 5 Offa robbery attack in Kwara, have been declared dead.

The state commissioner of justice, Kamaldeen Ajibade, made this revelation during the arraignment of five suspects in connection with the incident before a Kwara high court.

The Cable understands that Adikwu, a dismissed police corporal, had reportedly confessed to killing over 20 people during the attack which claimed 33 lives, including pregnant women and 12 police office

Report has it that the suspected was killed in the presence of other suspects when the police tried to force statement out of him.

Naija News recalls that Adikwu was not paraded among the suspect paraded in connection to the crime.

However, Jimoh Moshood, police spokesman, denied that Adikwu was dead.

“Michael Adikwu is in police custody. You know he is the one that led the killing of 22 people. So the fire arms that were carted away, he is helping the police in investigation to recover them,” Moshood told TheCable.

The commissioner, before the presiding justice Halimat Salman, on Wednesday, stated that there was a need to amend the charges against Adikwu following the news of his death.

Ajibade, who assured that the police will present before the court the evident of the death of the suspects, admonished that Adikwu’s name be removed from the charge sheet.

He also prayed for adjournment to ensure that his office effect the necessary amendment to the charges.

“There are two complaints. One, the suspects do not have legal representation; two, we were informed by the police headquarters in Abuja that the first accused person, Michael Adikwu is dead,” 

“Taking a look at case’s dairy, we discovered there is statement from the first accused person. I directed the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to contact the force headquarters and he spoke with one Abba Kiyari and he told us that the first accused person is dead.

“In this circumstance, we are constrained to amend the charge to remove his name from the charge sheet. We are therefore applying for a short adjournment. We will write the police requesting for evidence of Michael Adikwu’s death.” Ajibade said.

The judge, subsequently granted Ajibade’s prayer and adjourned the case till November 30.