Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force attached to the Aso A Police Station in Nasarawa State have been accused of releasing a murder suspect after collecting a bribe.
SaharaReporters learnt that a young man identified as Joshua Moses was killed at a construction site In Gidan Rago area, Aso B, a community under Karu local government
His family members told SaharaReporters that Joshua went to the site to work as a labourer and was killed by a member of a gang that attacked the site to extort the workers.
The source said, “Joshua went to a construction site at ‘Gidan Rago’, in Aso B, a community under Karu LGA of Nasarawa state, to work as a labourer. While on the site, some persons came and asked for a fee, known as development levy, before the work can go on. They claimed to be in charge of the area and anyone building within their area must pay them.
“As discussion led to an argument, a fight broke out and one among them, brought out his knife and stabbed Joshua who died on the way to the hospital.”
The source said that the Nigerian Police immediately took up the case and arrested the suspect. However, the police eventually released the suspect after allegedly being settled by a gang leader to which the suspect belonged.
The family source continued: “Immediately, men of the Nigeria police Force at Aso A Police Station were informed and they came, took the suspect into their custody. Few days later, the leader of the people who came to ask for a development levy, known as ‘Mai Angwa’, visited the said Police Station to set his boy free.
“After negotiating with the police, an undisclosed amount of money was given in cash, said an informant, and the accused regained his freedom. The same officers came out to announce that the suspect had escaped, pretending to have no idea about his disappearance.“
When contacted, the Investigative Police Officer(IPO) handling the case, Clement Usman told SaharaReporters that he would not comment on the allegations levelled against the police by Joshua’s family.
“I don’t have anything to say about this case via phone conversation,” he told SaharaReporters.