Siblings arrested in Kaduna for ‘burying colleague alive’ over missing phone

The Kaduna state police command has arrested two brothers for allegedly burying their colleague alive over a missing phone. 

In a statement on Thursday, Mansir Hassan, the command’s spokesperson, identified the suspects as Yahaya Abdulkadir, 24, and Abdullahi Abdulkadir, 18, both from Gauraki village in Kufena ward, Zaria LGA.

The victim, Abubakar Aliyu, 20, also from Gauraki village, was reportedly buried alive by the suspects over a missing phone valued at N35,000.

“Sequel to a video that went viral on the internet showing a person buried with only his head left out, the police has arrested in Zaria two suspects for complicity,” the statement reads.

“Immediately the police became aware of the video, efforts were immediately made to locate the victim and apprehend the culprits.

“This led to the tracing of Abubakar Aliyu and the arrest of the suspects, Yahaya and Abdullahi Abdulkadir.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim and the suspects, along with others, were working as labourers at a construction site in Abuja.

“A mobile phone belonging to Abdullahi Abdulkadir, valued at ₦35,000, was reported stolen at their residence.

“Aliyu was accused of the theft, and it was decided among the labourers that his daily wages would be used to replace the phone. Upset by this decision, Aliyu left Abuja and returned home.

“However, he was trailed to Zaria by the duo of Yahaya Abdulkadir and Abdullahi Abdulkadir who happened to be siblings.

“On Saturday 10th August, 2024, the two of them located him and forcefully took him to an uncompleted building, dug the ground akin to a grave, bound his hands and feet, covered his mouth with a piece of clothing, placed him inside the hole and returned the earth leaving only his head outside.

“Aliyu remained in this condition until a passerby heard his groans and alerted others, leading to his rescue.

“The two suspects were later identified and arrested by the police. They admitted to committing the act, claiming it was a form of interrogation in connection with the stolen phone.”

The police warned against jungle justice, adding that the case would be thoroughly investigated and handled professionally.