Residents of New Market in the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State have raised alarm on how the Nigeria Police Force operatives invaded the area, killing a 16-year-old boy, Usman Bala, and injuring two others who were shot in the legs and are now receiving treatment at Bingham Teaching Hospital, Jos.
The residents called on the state Police Commissioner, Bartholomew Onyeka, to bring the officers attached to the C Division to book.
Nazizu Isah Nasale, who witnessed the incident, explained that the incident occurred around 8 pm on Wednesday when police arrived at the area as usual.
He said, “The police often come from C Division to station at New Market Junction. But in the last five days, the youth in the area complained about how they came to harass tricycle riders and seized their tricycles.
“So, when they came on Wednesday 21st September 2022, they seized a tricycle and the youth started shouting at them (police), and before you know, the police opened fire at people. They shot one in the stomach and two others in the legs,” he said.
The father of the deceased, Muhammad Bala, while explaining how he received the news of the killing, described the incident as unfortunate, calling on the police authorities to prosecute the officers.
“Yesterday, after we had observed the last prayer of the day (Ishai), I was called that I should come to Bingham Hospital and I asked why? They said I should just come. On getting there, I was told that my child was shot dead by the police. No security officer has so far come to my house with regard to the incident.”
“I am not going to tolerate this extrajudicial killing. The police commissioner should intervene in this matter to unravel the circumstances behind the killing. My son was innocent. He went to a shop around the area to buy water gum to make some bags,” the father added.
The spokesperson for the State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, confirmed the incident but said the police did not go to seize any tricycle.
He said, “Based on the recent killing of two market security guards, in Kasuwan Dare and New Market, the police officers went out on suspicion of some boys. On getting there, the police were attacked by some Sara Suka boys who came in their numbers, stoned the police car, and even wounded the driver. The police fired back to escape. We are on top of the situation.”
