By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Zone 12 of Nigeria Police Force with headquarters in Bauchi has confirmed that one of its identified personnel (names withheld) Sunday allegedly shot and wounded a member of the public later identified as a former Chairperson of Ningi LGA of Bauchi State, Alh Danlami Alhassan.
He was said to have been attacked and shot in the head by the Police personnel at about 9.30pm while passing along the Wunti area under the flyover bridge under construction in the city.
When contacted, the Zonal PPRO, Thomas Goni, confirmed the incident while speaking in a telephone conversation on Monday.
He said that, “Concerning what you just asked, the Police is aware of the unfortunate incident involving one of our officers which resulted in the injury of a member of the general public.”
Thomas Goni added that, “We understand that this incident has generated a lot of tension and concern within the community of the town. We want to assure the public that we are taking this matter very seriously.
The ZPPRO added that,”We promise the public that a thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.”
According to him, “The officer involved in the incident has been identified and will be made to face disciplinary action in line with the Force guidelines on such issues. We will not tolerate any behaviour that falls below the standards and values of the Force.”
“We will also conduct a review of our training programmes and protocols to ensure that our officers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle situations in a polite and respectful manner,” he concluded.
It was gathered that Danlami Alhassan was accosted by the gunman around the Wunti gate as he approached the city centre in his Peugeot 405 for no just reason.
The man who was not in uniform crossed the road with his motorcycle demanding that Danlami Alhassan must stop for undisclosed reason and he did not stop, he shot at him through the front passenger side, shattering the window glass and the car.
While narrating his ordeal, Danlami Alhassan stated that, “On Sunday evening at about 9pm, I left my house to go to Wunti market to buy suya meat from my friend when the incident occurred.”
He added that, “When I got to the Wunti gate, a man on motorcycle waved, at first, I did not know that it was me he was waving at and I drove on. I later realized he was chasing me, I then slowed down and noticed that he was waving at me to stop.”
“I refused to stop at that point because I did not know who he was and for what reason he wanted me to stop. When I got to where people were, I stopped and he crossed my car, opened the door and tried to come out,” he added.
According to him, “Before I knew what was happening, he shot from the other direction and felt something hit me on the head while blood gushed out. The interior of the car caught fire and it took the intervention of people around who put off the fire.”
He added that, “People around there recognised that it was me and they all came to the scene to lend a helping hand. At that point, the man ran away with the motorcycle to escape being lynched because everyone thought he was an armed robber.”
Danlami Alhassan added that,”Unfortunately for him, a bag fell down from his motorcycle which was taken to the GRA Police station where it was discovered that he is a Police personnel. It was also discovered that it was a cannister of teargas that he shot at me which hit me on the head and caused the injury.”
He also stated that,” I was rushed to the Teaching Hospital where I was treated and discharged to go home after I had been stabilized. My damaged car is presently at the Police station, the outside looked intact but the interior is completely burnt.”
According to him, “At the Police Station, the bag was searched and his identity as a Police personnel was revealed. The officer there assured me that with all the available materials including canisters of teargas, cold weather wear, ID card and others, the man will be fished out.”
Danlami Alhassan is calling for justice by the Police authorities because according to him, “I don’t know the reason for the attack, let the Command investigate and bring him to justice, that is all I am calling for.
