The Gombe State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old casual worker, Shuaibu Adamu, over the alleged killing of a fellow staff member within the Government House premises.

The incident, which occurred on December 26, involved two casual staffers at the Government House, the police said in a statement on Saturday.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, said the command received a distress call at about 3:50pm, reporting that a male adult, identified as Mallam Umar, also known as “Baba Usama,” had been found unresponsive.

“Operatives were immediately dispatched to the scene. The victim, a borehole operator attached to the Government House, was rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Gombe, where he was certified dead by a medical doctor.

“Preliminary investigations suggested the death was suspicious, prompting Commissioner of Police, Umar Chuso, to visit the scene and order a comprehensive probe.

“A review of CCTV footage revealed that another casual staff member had assaulted the deceased shortly before his death.

“Our investigation identified Shuaibu Adamu, 19, also known as ‘Yaya Mama,’ a casual watchman attached to a construction company at the Government House, as the prime suspect,” Abdullahi said.

He said the suspect fled immediately after the incident but was tracked and arrested in a coordinated operation.

“At about 11:00pm the same day, the suspect was apprehended at his hideout in Bagadaza Quarters, Gombe. During preliminary interrogation, he confessed to the crime,” he added.

The police spokesperson added that the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy, while the suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue.

“The suspect will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he added, noting that further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.