A clash between military operatives of Operation Safe Haven and youth in Lere town, Tafawa Balewa Local Government of Bauchi State, has resulted in the death of one person, Habibu Aminu, and left six others with bullet wounds, the Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed.
The military reportedly raided the houses of identified individuals involved in an altercation at a checkpoint in Lere, leading to the unfortunate incident.
Aside from confirming the incident, the State Police Command has assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to ensure justice is served.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Wakil, stated that the Commissioner of Police has dispatched a team of detectives to investigate the matter and identify the officers involved.
Wakil said, “It’s important to note that the Command swiftly responded to the situation. Upon receiving the information, the Commissioner, Auwal Musa Mohammed, dispatched a Unit of the Mobile Police Force to the area for reinforcement. Additionally, a team of seasoned detectives has been constituted to conduct a professional, diligent, and timely investigation to ensure that justice is served.”
“The officers involved in the incident will be identified and held accountable according to the law. The Commissioner of Police is committed to a meticulous investigation process that utilizes all necessary protocols, including technical and scientific tools. It is crucial to ensure that thorough investigations are carried out to provide justice and resolution in this matter,” Wakil added
Survivors of the incident have shared their accounts, alleging that the military enforced a curfew without proper notification, leading to confusion and chaos.
One survivor, Babawo Lauwawu, said the military shot sporadically, causing him to sustain bullet wounds on his leg.
“Yesterday (Tuesday) shortly after I left our Mai Shayi joint, we just heard that a curfew had been imposed on Lere town starting from 10pm and we didn’t know who and the reason for the imposition of the curfew, but we all complied and entered our houses around 9pm.”
“Unfortunately, around the 9pm we just heard gunshots from the security even before the time of the curfew while we were inside our houses and in the process, they shot me on my leg. We obeyed their directives and we didn’t know why they were shooting sporadically,” Lauwawu said.
Another victim, Zaharedden Mohammed, claimed that the District Head of Lere directed the military to impose a curfew, which led to a misunderstanding between the military and PDP supporters. He alleged that the military attacked individuals involved in the scuffle, resulting in his eye being shot and damaged.
The driver of the vehicle that caused the misunderstanding, Nurudden Isa, shared his account.
He said, “I was driving my vehicle with some people and when I arrived at the military checkpoint in Lere. I was stop and the officer on duty asked me why I came on high speed and I responded saying how come I stopped exactly at the point he asked me to if I was on high speed. The military officer told me that they were directed to always search my vehicle whenever I come. He ordered me to park my vehicle and I did exactly that.
“Some youth standing some meters beside the checkpoint came in and inquired the reason for the thorough search which resulted in misunderstanding between them but some elderly people in my vehicle intervened and asked the youth to go away. The misunderstanding was resolved amicably and everybody left the checkpoint peacefully.
“Around 9pm, I had a knock on my door that our village head (Madaki) want to see me. Unknown to me, he was together with the military and other security agents and immediately I stepped my leg outside, they descended on me hitting from all angles. They dragged me on the floor in the presence of my family and when my wife asked them why, they shot into the air and scared everyone. They dragged me on the floor from my house to the checkpoint in the process I sustained injuries on my face and body,” Isa added.
