The Gombe State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old casual worker in connection with the alleged killing of a colleague within the Gombe Government House premises.
The incident occurred on Thursday, December 26, 2025, and involved two casual staff members working at the seat of government, according to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi.
Abdullahi said the command received a distress call around 3:50 p.m. reporting that a man identified as Mallam Umar, also known as “Baba Usama,” had been found unresponsive.
Police operatives were immediately dispatched to the scene, and the victim, a borehole operator attached to the Government House, was rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Gombe, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
Preliminary findings indicated that the death was suspicious, prompting the Commissioner of Police, Umar Ahmed Chuso, to visit the scene and order a full investigation.
According to the police, a review of CCTV footage showed that another casual staff member had assaulted the deceased shortly before his death.
Investigators subsequently identified Shuaibu Adamu, 19, also known as “Yaya Mama,” a casual watchman attached to a construction company operating within the Government House, as the prime suspect.
The suspect reportedly fled after the incident but was tracked and arrested later that night at about 11:00 p.m. at his hideout in Bagadaza Quarters, Gombe. Police said he confessed during preliminary interrogation.
The body of the deceased has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for an autopsy, while the suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue. The police said he will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.