Police Explain Circumstances Surrounding Death of ‘Enemi’ in Kogi

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The Kogi State Police Command has provided a detailed account regarding the death of one Muhammed Kassim, popularly known as “Enemi,” a native of Idah in Kogi State.

The Command confirmed his death in an official statement released on Wednesday, July 17, 2025, through its Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya.



The police disclosed that Kassim was a suspected member of a syndicate involved in the trafficking of arms and ammunition within and beyond the borders of Kogi State. His death, according to the police, occurred while he was attempting to evade arrest during an operation conducted by law enforcement officers.



The police statement was issued in response to widespread reports and speculations circulating across social media platforms. Many of these claims suggested that Kassim died as a result of torture inflicted while in police custody.

The narrative gained traction after the Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State, Isaiah Ijele, publicly accused the police of killing Kassim in a politically motivated plot. Ijele described Kassim as a “Regional Youth Leader” of the SDP and demanded an independent investigation and justice.



However, the police refuted these allegations, stating that the suspect died outside police custody, contrary to the claims being circulated. The Command further clarified that the case remains under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lokoja.



The Command’s statement explained that the entire investigation originated from an intelligence directive issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in Abuja. This directive led to the identification of one Mohammed Amedu as a member of the arms trafficking syndicate.

Amedu was apprehended by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on June 22, 2025, and subsequently handed over to the Kogi State Police Command on June 28 for further investigation.



During interrogation, Amedu allegedly confessed to his involvement in the illegal arms trade and implicated Kassim (Enemi) alongside other collaborators as part of the syndicate.

The police further revealed that Kassim was specifically alleged to have purchased 20 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition to test-fire an AK-47 rifle reportedly in his possession.


Further investigative efforts led to the arrest of five additional suspects connected to the syndicate. Police operatives also recovered two locally fabricated Beretta pistols during the course of the investigation.


Following these revelations, a team of police operatives from the SCID was mobilized on July 7, 2025, to Idah, tasked with inviting Kassim for questioning regarding the allegations against him.

However, upon sighting the police team, Kassim reportedly jumped over the fence of his residence and escaped, refusing to submit himself for interrogation.



Due to his evasion, operatives from the Idah Police Division were placed on alert and directed to monitor the area closely with a mandate to arrest Kassim whenever he was sighted. Acting on credible intelligence that he had been seen in a particular location in Idah, police operatives moved swiftly to apprehend him.



Upon their arrival, however, Kassim was found in the company of several young men suspected to be his gang members. The police reported that Kassim and his associates put up fierce resistance against the arrest, attacking officers with cutlasses, stones, and other dangerous weapons.

In the heat of the confrontation, Kassim allegedly attempted to seize a rifle from one of the officers, engaging in a violent struggle to disarm him.



During the struggle, the rifle discharged accidentally, striking Kassim in the leg. His associates quickly retrieved him from the scene and took him to an unknown location despite his injury. The police later learned that Kassim succumbed to his injuries while in the custody of his gang members, not in police hands as widely alleged.



Reiterating their position, the police stated: “The Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Command wishes to set the records straight on the unverified report being circulated on social media regarding the death of one Muhammed Kassim alias Enemi of Idah, Kogi State.

The suspect was alleged to be a member of a syndicate involved in trafficking arms and ammunition within and outside Kogi State. The case is currently under investigation at the SCID, Lokoja.”




The police emphasized that investigations are still ongoing and assured the public that all suspects apprehended in connection with the arms trafficking network will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigations.



The Command urged the public to disregard unfounded social media narratives and remain patient as law enforcement continues its inquiries to unravel the full details of the case.

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