A High Court in Kogi State has sentenced a man, Jibrin Halilu, to death after finding him guilty of kidnap and murder of his neighbour, despite receiving a ransom payment from the victim’s family.
Justice Abdul Awulu read out the injunction against Halilu following his arraignment by the police on charges of conspiracy and kidnapping under Sections 12, 6(1), and 4(3)(a) as enshrined in the state’s Kidnapping and Other Related Offences Prohibition Law, 2023.
According to evidence presented before the court, Halilu and members of his armed gang on March 23, 2023, attacked Everready Hotel located in Angwa-Tiv, Obajana town, and abducted its proprietor, Uche Offo, and demanded a ransom of N2.5 million his family.
The prosecution submitted that despite the ransom paid, the gang killed Offor, which led to the Department of State Services (DSS) arresting Halilu on December 4, 2025, following extensive investigations into the kidnapping and murder.
A source familiar with the investigation disclosed that DSS operatives gathered evidence linking Halilu directly to the crime and established his involvement in the conspiracy that led to the victim’s abduction and death.
Further investigations also connected Halilu and his gang to another kidnapping incident that occurred on April 2, 2023, involving Ibrahim Abdullahi, a resident of Oshokoshoko Community in Lokoja.
In the separate case, the gang allegedly abducted Abdullahi and later secured the payment of N5 million as ransom before releasing him.
After reviewing the evidence and submissions by the prosecution, Justice Awulu found Halilu guilty and sentenced him to death in accordance with the provisions of the Kogi State Kidnapping and Other Related Offences Prohibition Law.