From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye has confirmed the death of Muhammed Kassim, popularly known as Enemi, a suspected gunrunner from Idah, Kogi State.
According to the police, Kassim died while attempting to evade arrest.
The confirmation was issued to counter widespread claims circulating on social media alleging that Kassim died in police custody due to torture.
A statement issued by Kogi State Police Command’s Spokesman, SP William Ovye Aya, read:
“The Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Command, wishes to set the record straight regarding the unverified report being circulated on social media about the death of one Muhammed Kassim, a.k.a. Enemi, of Idah, Kogi State.”
The police said Kassim was allegedly part of a syndicate involved in arms and ammunition trafficking across and beyond Kogi State. The case, they noted, is currently under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lokoja.
The statement explained that the investigation followed a legal directive from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Abuja, which implicated one Mohammed Amedu as a member of the arms trafficking ring. Amedu was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on June 22, 2025, and later handed over to the Kogi State Police Command on June 28.
The suspect, Amedu, reportedly confessed to the crime and implicated Kassim and others as members of the syndicate. Investigations further revealed that Kassim allegedly purchased 20 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition to test an AK-47 rifle in his possession.
“On July 7, 2025, operatives from SCID were deployed to Idah to invite Kassim for questioning. However, on sighting the officers, he jumped the fence of his residence and fled,” the police said. “Despite being given the opportunity to turn himself in, Kassim refused to cooperate.”
According to the police, upon receiving credible intelligence about his whereabouts, officers from Idah Division moved to arrest him. However, Kassim, reportedly surrounded by suspected gang members, resisted arrest.
“To facilitate his escape, his associates attacked the police with cutlasses, stones, and other dangerous weapons. In the commotion, Kassim attempted to seize a rifle from one of the officers. During the struggle, the rifle discharged, striking him in the leg,” the police said.
His accomplices then allegedly whisked him away from the scene despite his gunshot wound. The police said Kassim later died from the injury in an undisclosed location while in the custody of his gang members.
The command assured that investigations are ongoing and that all suspects currently in custody will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of the investigation.