It was indeed an odd hour. The expectation by the suspects was that they had perfected their strategies to smuggle human parts from Kebbi State through Minna to Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory at about 3am last Monday. Unfortunately for them, nemesis caught up with them.

It was indeed an odd hour. The expectation by the suspects was that they had perfected their strategies to smuggle human parts from Kebbi State through Minna to Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory at about 3am last Monday. Unfortunately for them, nemesis caught up with them.

Last Monday, eight suspects, including five non- Nigerians, were rounded up at the Chanchaga end of Minna, the state capital along Minna – Paiko road by the Police.

The suspects were said to be driving on top speed in a bid to beat a police checkpoint but they were eventually forced to a halt.

When asked to subject themselves for the routine check, the suspects decided to play games with the police who uncompromisingly insisted on searching them. The uncompromising stance of the police eventually paved way for the shocking discovery.

After carrying out a check on the suspects and the car without any incriminating exhibits found on them, the policemen insisted on checking the boot of the car. The suspects initially resisted but after insistence by the police, they succumbed.

In the box which was brought out from the boot of the car were parts of a male human body neatly parked.

The suspects were heading for Gwagwalada to deliver the “good” to a 41-year-old herbalist, Adamu Jibrin Mokwa.

Five of those arrested are Abdulkadir Audu, Isah Mammam who is the driver of the vehicle, Dogo Haruna, Sadi Dogobi and Hamisu Abdullahi, all of Benin Republic nationals.

Others are Atiku Maiturari and Abdullahi Gwandu from Kebbi State.

After an on-the-spot interrogation by the police at the checkpoint, the suspects were taken to the Police Headquarters Minna for further interrogation.

One of the suspects, Abdullahi Gwandu confessed to the police that he actually had a business deal with Atiku Maiturari to convey his guests to Gwagwalada to deliver some goods.

He said he did not resist the offer since he thought it was a normal business engagement.

Asked whether he knew the content of the box found in the boot of the car, Abdullahi said he only knew it was a package of assorted meat but did not even bother to ask or find out the exact type of meat.

One of the suspects also confessed to how they came about the human parts. He said a Fulani dead body was exhumed after which the needed parts were dissected from the main body before they headed for their destination — Gwagwalada.

Reacting to the development, the state police spokesman, ASP Richard Oguche described the act as barbaric, adding that investigation into the matter was still on.

He promised that all those involved would be fished out and made to face the law no matter how highly placed such people are in the society.

ASP Oguche promised that those involved will be charged to court immediately after Police have concluded their own investigations.

The herbalist, Adamu Jibrin Mokwa, had during interrogation also confessed that Atiku Audu had actually contacted him to embark on a special prayer for the successful actualisation of his political ambition and promised to pay him N2 million for the prayers.

He however denied having a fore knowledge of whether some human parts would be sent to him for the prayers.

The PPRO stated that the suspects have also confessed that they are mere agents to their master who is resident in Birnin Kebbi, adding that they are ready to lead the police to Kebbi State.

Oguche called on members of the public not to see the police checkpoints in the country from negative perspectives, pointing out that they have succeeded in trapping down deadly armed robbers and other criminals at various check points across the country during which stolen vehicles and other properties worth million of naira were recovered.

He said rather than attack the police for mounting check points, they should be complemented and necessary co-operating given them when duty calls for the normal routine check. By so doing, he said, members of the public will also be contributing to the war against criminals in the society.