Some arrests have made in connection with the death, in Kano, of Prof. Ahmed Falaki of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria’s Police headquarters announced this afternoon. Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. CP Emmanuel C. S. Ojukwu, who made the announcement, also disclosed that the late professor’s vehicle has been recovered in Bauchi State.

The breakthrough came less than 24 hours after Nigeria’s Muslim umbrella body, Jama’tu Nasril Islam (JNI), dismissed reports that Falaki was killed in a recent battle between the Nigerian military and the northern extremist group, Boko Haram.

While referring to the deceased as an “unassuming renowned Professor of Agronomy of international repute,” JNI in the press release signed by its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, expressed suspicions about what it referred to as the “murder” of the scholar. It called for a thorough investigation of his death.

Ojukwu in a statement issued in Abuja said that Inspector-General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, views Falaki’s death “with great concern . . . He has therefore ordered the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge Zone 1, Kano, AIG Tambari Muhammed to conduct an in-depth forensic investigation on the incident with a view to unraveling the circumstances surrounding the attack and death of the renowned Professor of Agriculture.”

IGP Abba assure the Falaki’s immediate family and the general public that “the police will do all it takes to ensure ends of justice, while perpetrators of the unfortunate incident will not go unpunished.”

•Photo shows late Prof. Falaki.