Police officer, 19 others detained over terrorism, banditry allegations

Police officer, 19 others detained over terrorism, banditry allegations

An Assistant Superintendent of Police, A. A Babangida has been detained alongside 19 others over allegations of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping activities.

Babangida’s detention was ordered by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, August 28.

The other suspects in the matter include Usman Idris, Abu Safiyanu, Alhassan Idris, Sahada Ishaka, Abubakar Ibrahim Sani Bello, Yahaya Abdullahi, Haruna Salisu and Mohammed Muazu.

Others are Nura Idris, Manu Mohammed, Umar Lamu, Abubakar Mandara, Suleiman Mohammed, Alhaji Madayi, Amodu Oghewe and Uzoma Aghaoyibo.

Justice Peter Lifu while delivering a ruling an ex-parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1146/2024 brought before the court by the Defence Intelligence Agency ordered that the suspects be held in custody for 30 days.

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According to the court, the given timeframe would enable the DIA to carry out necessary investigations into the alleged involvement of the police officer and the other suspects in the crimes.

The prosecutor had alleged that the suspects were involved in helping terrorists and bandits in carrying out their atrocities across the country.

Arrested in June 2024, the DIA had told the court that Babangida’s and the other suspect’s involvement in terrorist activities was complex.

The counsel for the DIA had prayed the court to grant the agency permission to detain the suspects for 90 days.

However, Justice Lifu declined the DIA’s request knowing the ground that the suspects have already spent three months in custody.

Stating that the suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the judge ordered the DIA to detain the suspects until the conclusion of its investigation.

Police officer, 19 others detained over terrorism, banditry allegations