Fatiha Abdulhakeem, the 18-year-old suspect accused of murdering Adamu Jagaba, a retired Permanent Secretary in Niger State, has died in police custody in Minna.

The police have yet to disclose the cause of death.

Abdulhakeem was recently paraded at the Police Headquarters in Minna by Commissioner of Police Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman as the principal suspect in the murder of Jagaba at his block industry near the PDP secretariat in Minna.

In a chilling confession during an earlier interview, Abdulhakeem revealed that he was hired by a group of individuals, along with members of his gang, to kill the retired permanent secretary. He claimed that the act was carried out with the assistance of the victim’s staff.

The suspect admitted to receiving N100,000 from his accomplices as part of the payment for the murder and said he was promised additional compensation after selling the victim’s stolen Toyota Camry.

In a graphic description of the crime, Abdulhakeem recounted stabbing the victim twice in the neck, sitting on his chest, and repeatedly striking his head with a stapler until he succumbed to his injuries.

When asked about his emotions during the act, the suspect callously stated: “I felt nothing for him. The permanent secretary begged me to spare his life, but I had no compassion for him because I was already high on drugs.”

Confirming the suspect’s death, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that Abdulhakeem died after complaining of severe stomach pain. He was taken to the General Hospital in Minna for medical attention but passed away while receiving treatment.