Police in Niger State have arrested Idris Bala (30) of Masaka Area, Nasarawa State, for attempting to free his friend, Adamu Saidu (30), from custody while receiving treatment at IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna.
States Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, revealed that Saidu was undergoing treatment for injuries sustained during a robbery at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, when Bala attempted the escape at midnight.
Abiodun detailed the initial arrest, stating that Saidu, along with Abdulrahman Musa and another accomplice, allegedly robbed students at two lodges in Gidan-Kwano, seizing over twenty-five handsets, a laptop, and power banks.
After Saidu was caught and injured by a mob, he was taken to the hospital for treatment, where Bala, claiming to be Saidu’s relative from Bauchi, emerged and attempted the escape by destroying police handcuffs.
Bala initially claimed ignorance of Saidu’s criminal involvement, alleging he was sent by Saidu’s mother from Bauchi after hearing of a motor accident. However, upon realizing the truth, he attempted the escape.
Both suspects were re-apprehended, with stolen items recovered. The incident highlights the lengths some go to aid criminal associates.
Abiodun said “On 06/2/2024 at about 0230hrs, Adamu Saidu was initially arrested at a robbery scene in the Gidan-Kwano area of Minna. It was reported at Kpagungu Div that the said Saidu with one Abdulrahman Musa, and one other presently at large, armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, invaded two lodges in Gidan-Kwano, and robbed some students of over twenty-five handsets, a laptop and power banks.”
He further explained that”Consequently, one of the victims raised an alarm, which attracted mob action, and the suspects were pursued. Fortunately, one of the suspects; Saidu, was apprehended and injured by the mob. He was taken to the IBB Specialist Hospital for treatment, while one laptop, fourteen handsets, two power banks and a cutlass were recovered from him.
“Surprisingly, while the suspect was receiving treatment in the hospital, Idris Bala surfaced and claimed to be the suspect’s relative from Bauchi to care for him on the sick bed. In the process of this care, at midnight, Idris destroyed the police handcuff used to secure the suspect to the sick bed and attempted to escape with the suspect.”
