Kogi police launch investigation into m8rder of fresh graduate awaiting NYSC call-up

The Kogi State Police Command has launched an investigation into the m8rder of a fresh graduate of the University of Maiduguri, Aminu Lawal, in Lokoja, Kogi State. 

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According to punch, Aminu, who was awaiting call-up for the National Youth Service Corps, went missing on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

He was said to have left home in Otokiti Estate to hussle for passengers in his luggage tricycle popularly called Keke NAPEP that morning but failed to return on schedule.

His worried parents immediately raised the alarm and launched a frantic search for his whereabouts.

His charred remains were discovered in an isolated bush path opposite the Central Bank, Zone 8 area in Lokoja the following day.

Sources who saw his remains told the publication that his head was suspected to have been smashed with a heavy object by his yet to be identified assailants.

The attackers were also said to have cut the left side vein on his neck.

The event took a new turn when an independent community-led investigation indicted one Garuba who is an acquaintance and resident of the same Otokiti Estate in the victim’s d2ath.

Garuba was identified as one of the last callers of the deceased.

A deeper probe into the case led to the arrest of Garuba from his abode on Wednesday, March 25, by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp.

He was said to have been detained in their office before the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID.

Meanwhile, an anonymous source said to be familiar with the incident further claimed that pressure was being mounted to secure the release of the suspect.

“We are appealing that this case should not be swept under the carpet. Aminu trained himself successfully through school in far away Maidugiri. Despite the security challenges in that axis, he successfully completed his studies only to be m8rdered at home,” the source said.

“The least we can do is to find and punish his m8rderers. We demand proper and timely probe that will bring anyone involved to the law.”

Speaking with journalists in Lokoja, the spokesperson for the command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said that detailed investigations on the case has commenced .

She added that the outcome of the investigation would be made public very soon.

“It is not true that the police is under pressure to release the suspect. We are still investigating the case. We will probe it to a logical conclusion,” Oyiza said.