Authorities from the Niger State Police Command have apprehended seven individuals linked to cult-related offenses at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), following the tragic murder of a 23-year-old student, Abdulwahab Jafar.
The fatal incident triggered significant unrest within the university community, necessitating the deployment of specialized police units to reestablish peace and order on campus.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. The suspects face charges including criminal conspiracy, robbery, membership in an unlawful society, internet fraud, possession of dangerous weapons, and suspected culpable homicide.
Investigations conducted collaboratively by the Tactical Support Team and the Force Intelligence Department led to the detention of 19 individuals across Lapai and other parts of Niger State. Further inquiry narrowed the focus to seven key suspects who admitted affiliation with the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM).
“On June 23, 2025, at approximately 3 a.m., a distressing report was received regarding an attack on Abdulwahab Jafar, a 23-year-old student from Paiko, at his university lodging. This incident was among several violent acts resulting in his death,” the statement detailed.
“The attack sparked additional disturbances within the Lapai community, prompting the deployment of police tactical units to restore calm and security.”
“Following a thorough investigation by the Tactical Support Team and the Force Intelligence Department, 19 suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence and other information available to the Police Command.”
“The probe was subsequently concentrated on seven individuals charged with criminal conspiracy, robbery, unlawful society membership, internet fraud, possession of dangerous weapons, and suspected culpable homicide.”
“The arrested suspects are: Idris Hamza (27) from Maikunkele, Suleiman Damilare (27) from Maikunkele, Abdulsemiu Bashir (23) from Lapai, Bawa Aliyu (27) from Suleja, Yakubu Musa aka Pypa (24) from Maikunkele, Samson Abbah aka Small (28) from Rafin-Yanshi, and Solomon Musa aka Cabella (28) from Maitumbi.”
“Based on reliable intelligence, Idris Hamza and Suleiman Damilare were apprehended on June 27 at Fadikpe with cannabis, charms, local black soaps, and a Toyota Corolla at the residence of Abdullahi Ahmed, also known as Catch-up.”
“The suspects confessed to being members of the Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM) and admitted involvement in various cult-related activities at IBBUL, including initiation ceremonies such as Jolijoli.”
“Their statements led to the arrest of Abdulsemiu Bashir, believed to be affiliated with a rival cult group called VIKINGS. Upon his arrest at a motor park in Lapai on June 29, a search uncovered 16 SIM cards, a POS machine, and seventy-seven thousand naira. He revealed that the SIM cards were purchased from Audu, another VIKINGS member currently at large. These SIM cards were traced back to stolen phones from victims.”
“Before his arrest, Bawa Aliyu was identified as a butcher wielding an axe within the NBM Lapai faction. Yakubu Musa, also known as PYPA (Protect Your Peace), was detained on August 14 and confirmed to have participated in multiple attacks and robberies targeting student lodgings to fund their activities, including internet fraud.”
“Samson Abbah, aka Small, from Rafin-Yanshi, a 2017 graduate of Federal Polytechnic Bida, joined NBM in 2015. He served as the administrator of the group’s WhatsApp platform for the Minna zone, initially named ‘Men That Matters’ before being renamed ‘Football News,’ where they coordinated illicit operations.”
“Solomon Musa, known as Cabella and a close associate of Bawa and Yakubu, was involved in an attempted assault on another student in August. When the student was absent, they vandalized his apartment, allegedly in retaliation for perceived disrespect.”
“Investigations continue as efforts intensify to identify members of either the VIKINGS or NBM cults responsible for the murder. It has been confirmed that the attack was cult-related, and further updates will be provided as the inquiry progresses.”
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