By Kazeem Waris
The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the alleged murder of a 50-year-old man, Jude Thaddeus, popularly known as Musa, whose decomposed remains were recovered from a dry well at his residence in Aku Village, Base 5, Karu Local Government Area of the state.
The police also disclosed that the principal suspect allegedly took possession of the victim’s mobile phone after his disappearance and deceived callers by claiming that his supposed father had travelled to England.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this to journalists in Lafia on Monday, saying the investigation began following a missing-person report lodged on November 1, 2026, by the victim’s 46-year-old sister, Jenifer Alain.
According to Nansel, the woman reported that her brother had become unreachable despite repeated attempts to contact him, adding that unidentified persons kept answering calls made to his telephone number.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives attached to the division immediately commenced an investigation, which led to the arrest of one Yusuf Musa, aged 23,” he said.
The police spokesman explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had been engaged by the deceased about three months earlier to look after his domestic animals and had subsequently been introduced to neighbours and other members of the community.
Further investigations reportedly established that the deceased had been missing since October 22, 2026, while the suspect allegedly took possession of his mobile phone and continued to mislead callers that his supposed father had travelled to England.
Nansel said the suspect was also allegedly disposing of the victim’s personal belongings, domestic animals and other property under suspicious circumstances.
He reportedly confessed to selling some heavy metals and industrial engines belonging to the deceased for N3.4 million.
“During interrogation, Yusuf Musa allegedly confessed to his involvement in the killing of Jude Thaddeus and disclosed that the victim’s body had been dumped in a dry well within his residence,” Nansel stated.
Acting on the information, detectives, assisted by environmental health personnel, visited the scene and recovered the decomposed remains from the well.
The police said preliminary findings indicated that the victim was allegedly killed inside his residence before his body was dumped in the well and set ablaze.
The suspects reportedly used several blocks to seal and conceal the well in an apparent attempt to cover up the crime and evade detection.
The remains were subsequently evacuated to the Medical Centre, Mararaba, where a medical doctor examined and certified the victim dead.
FOUR SUSPECTS ARRESTED, ONE FUGITIVE AT LARGE
Nansel further disclosed that investigations led to the identification and arrest of additional suspects, including persons allegedly found with some of the victim’s stolen belongings.
He said the investigation had also established the involvement of another suspect, who is currently at large, adding that efforts had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
The police, however, said four suspects had so far been arrested in connection with the alleged crime, while investigations were ongoing to establish the individual roles of all those involved.
The Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, Shetima Jauro Mohamed, has directed the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lafia, for comprehensive investigation and diligent prosecution of anyone found culpable.
The commissioner commended the detectives for their prompt response and professionalism in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the victim’s disappearance and recovery of his remains.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of criminal activities are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law, irrespective of their status.
The police chief also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police station, and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing and solving crimes.
