Five suspected murderers have been remanded in prison by two Magistrate Courts in Ilorin, Kwara State, over alleged killings of one Adamu Hassan and Mohammed Usman (Sarkin Fulani). The suspects are Awalu Ishiaku, Mohammed Oro, Shehu Garba, Kabiru Umar and Shehu Abubakar.

Inspector David Wodi, who prosecuted the first four accused, told the court that on February 23, the police received information that armed robbers were operating along Jebba/ Bode Sa'adu express way.

He added that, a team of Anti-Crime patrol team led by one Inspector Mathew Folorunsho went to the scene where they met Adamu Hassan matcheted to death by armed robbers, while the rest of the occupants of a vehicle Sharon Volkswagen space wagon with registration No ZUR709 XA were rescued. The prosecutor added that police later arrested one Awalu Ishiaku, Mohammed Oro, Shehu Garba and Kabiru Umar with sharp axes and one knife.

The prosecutor said, "Investigation revealed that the accused persons confessed that they robbed other passengers and killed the victim as he failed to co-operate with them." Similarly, the fifth suspect, Shehu Abubakar, allegedly shot one Sarkin Fulani ( Mohammed Usman) to death on February 14.

Garba Usman of Wakili Fulani in Nuku village via Kaiama, who reported the killing to the police, said that on the same day, at about 0330hrs, he heard sound of gunshot and about four minutes later, a woman's voice followed, shouting for help from Sarki's compound and as he got there, he met the remains of Sarkin Fulani.

The complainant added that, Sarki's daughter (Fatima Mohammed) disclosed that she recognized Shehu Abubakar, as one of the killers of her father. Upon information, the accused who ran to Kaiama was arrested by the police.

The accused, who were arraigned on a three count- charge of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide, offenses that contravened Sections 97, 6B (1)2 and 221 of Penal Code, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Magistrates Mohammed Ndakene and Wahab Saka ordered their remand at Federal Prison Oke- Kura Ilorin and adjourned the cases to April 13 and 14 respectively.