'How Sen Ogembe contracted us to kill late Yusuf Onivehu' - suspects give gory details of roles in chilly confessions »

Four suspects connected with the November 16, 2018 killing of Yusuf Adabenege Onivehu have confessed to how the immediate past senator that represented Kogi Central Senatorial District at the senate, Ahmed Ogembe contracted them to kill the deceased.

They were four suspects led by 32 year old Yusuf Abdulmumin who confessed to have anchored the entire operation including surveillance and the eventual dastardly act, supported by 26 years old Aliyu Jafaru Abona, Yusuf Abdulkarim – 29 and Yusuf Tijani – 25.

According to Abdulmumin, a fellow criminal suspect with whom he served sentencing before being broken out, Abdullahi Momohjimoh now at large, was the main contractor who organised the team for the operation.

He said on the fateful day of November 16, after tracing the deceased’s movement and were certain of his whereabouts, they waylaid and kidnapped him with the intent to kill.

The suspect then revealed that following the failure of their guns to achieve the gang’s desired effect as the gunshot couldn’t penetrate the deceased’s body, they then resorted to use of a grenade which they used in blowing off his head.

The suspects on Parade in Ilene. Photo by Oluwatosin Adeniyi

It was shortly before the act was committed that Mr Momohjimoh informed them the contract was a big one and was being financed by Senator Ogembe and warned them to keep the information within their circle not to be revealed to any other soul, the suspect told Insidestoryng in an interview.

He claimed to have met Mr Momohjimoh in prison who took him (Abdulmumin) under his wings following the prison break while they were serving terms for previous crimes at Okene Maximum Prison.

Abdulmumin confessed that Mr Momohjimoh’s gang members were responsible for the prison break and that after escape, his ‘benefactor’ retained his services at gunpoint, and forced him into committing several other heinous crimes including the murder of deceased Yusuf.

A woman breaks into tears on hearing the suspects’ confessions on how the gruesome murder was carried out. Photo by Oluwatosin Adeniyi

26 years old Aliyu Jafaru Abona, claimed he was a commercial motorcycle rider in Auchi contacted by the gang to ferry the explosives, guns and other equipments for the operation. He said he didn’t know the content of the bag handed him at the time.

Brothers, Yusuf Abdulkarim and Yusuf Tijani confessed they acted as surveillance agents in the operation, but denied knowledge of why they were asked to monitor the deceased’s whereabouts.

Speaking earlier, Governor Yahaya Bello had assured the people of the state of his commitment to ensuring security of lives and property by smoking out criminals wherever they may hide.

Governor Yahaya Bello addressing the people of Okene during the suspects’ parading.

The Governor recalled the promise he had made the people that he would ensure those behind the killing were apprehended and prosecuted when the crime was committed.

He said it was as a result of the promise that he swung into action in earnest with his Chief Security Officer along with the Commissioner of Police which led to the arrests.

The Governor describes his administration a responsible government that does not encourage people to take laws into their hands, warning that whoever does would face the full wrath of the law.

He assured of his commitment to ensure protection of lives and properties of law-abiding citizens, but re – echoed his resolve to seize and destroy properties acquired by criminals through illicit means.

He promised to wipe criminals out of the state wherever they may hide, stressing that his intention was to return the state to the path of prosperity.