The Nigeria Police Force has arrested five suspected killers of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh who was assassinated while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road on December 18, 2018.
They, however, declined to parade or reveal the identities of the suspects in order to prevent other members of the gang from escaping.
According to them, two of the suspects “actively” participated in the killing of the former Defence chief penultimate week. While the remaining three suspects played other roles that led to Badeh’s murder.
During a briefing in Abuja, the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Jimoh Moshood, explained that the postponement of the parade would help the investigators to arrest fleeing members of the gang. He said:
“The suspects arrested actively participated in the killing of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh. On the directive of the IGP, the Police Joint Investigation Team set up by the IGP was mandated within the shortest possible time to arrest all those responsible for the killing of CDS Badeh on the 18th of December, 2018 in Nasarawa State.
“Two principal suspects who participated in the killing of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and three other suspects connected to the crime carried out on the 18th of December, 2018 have been arrested by the Intelligence Response Team of the IGP and the Special Tactical Squad.
“The suspects are currently in Police custody and undergoing investigation. The public should also know that the investigation into the killing is being intensified to arrest other suspects who are still at large.
“It is of significant note and for the public to be aware that the parade of the two suspects and the three other gang members will not come up today so as not to jeopardize the ongoing investigation.
“While the suspects will be paraded before the media and the public upon the completion of investigation into this matter, the Nigeria Police Force will not relent and will leave no stone unturned in getting to the root of the killing and bringing all perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.”
Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh was killed in the evening while returning from his farm. His Tundra Toyota truck was riddled with bullets piercing the windscreen and killing him instantly.
Out of the three occupants of the vehicle, however, Badeh was the only one that was killed thereby fueling speculations that he was assassinated. (Read the report HERE).