BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The Zone 12 of Nigeria Police Force with headquarters in Bauchi has confirmed that one of its personnel allegedly shot the former Chairman of Ningi Local Government Area of the State, Alhaji Danlami Alhassan.
The former Local Government chairman was alleged to have been attacked and shot in the head by the police officer at about 9.30pm while passing along the Wunti area under the flyover bridge under construction in the city.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Thomas Goni, who confirmed the incident during a telephone conversation on Monday, said the Force was aware of the unfortunate incident involving one of its personnel which resulted in the injury of a member of the public.
Goni said; “We understand that this incident has generated a lot of tension and concern within the community. We want to assure the public that we are taking this matter very seriously.
“We promise the public that a thorough and impartial investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances that led to the incident.
“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 said.
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 policeman who was not in uniform crossed the road with his motorcycle demanding that Alhassan must stop for undisclosed reason and when he refused to stop, the police officer shot at him through the front passenger side, thereby shattering the window glass and the car.
While narrating his ordeal, Alhassan said; “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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“At the Police Station, the bag was searched and his identity as 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.
“I don’t know the reason for the attack. Let the Command investigate and bring him to justice, that is all I am asking for,” Alhassan said.
