By Wellington Jopelo
The Gombe State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old casual worker in connection with the death of a co-worker at the Gombe Government House.
The incident happened on Thursday, December 26, 2025, within the Government House premises and involved two casual staff members attached to different duties at the facility.
Police said the victim, a borehole operator identified as Mallam Umar, also known as “Baba Usama,” was found unconscious and later confirmed dead at the hospital.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said the command received a distress call around 3:50 p.m. and immediately deployed officers to the scene.
“The victim was rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Gombe, where he was certified dead by a medical doctor,” Abdullahi said.
He explained that the death raised suspicion, prompting the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, to personally visit the scene and order a full investigation.
According to the police, a review of CCTV footage inside the Government House showed that the deceased was assaulted shortly before his death by another casual worker.
“Our investigation identified one Shuaibu Adamu, aged 19, also known as ‘Yaya Mama,’ a casual watchman attached to a construction company working within the Government House, as the prime suspect,” Abdullahi said.
The suspect reportedly fled the area after the incident but was later arrested during a coordinated operation.
“At about 11:00 p.m. the same day, the suspect was tracked to his hideout in Bagadaza Quarters, Gombe, where he was arrested. During preliminary interrogation, he confessed to the crime,” the police spokesman added.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for an autopsy, while the suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue.
The police assured that the suspect will be prosecuted and said further updates will be provided as the case progresses.