In a tragic incident in Lere town, located in the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, soldiers attached to Operation Safe Haven have allegedly killed a young man, Habibu Aminu, and injured four others during a confrontation with local youths. This incident has sparked outrage and calls for a thorough investigation into the actions of the security forces.
Habibu Aminu, who had completed his National Youth Service just three months ago, met his untimely death when soldiers raided the homes of individuals involved in a previous altercation at the main checkpoint in Lere. This altercation reportedly took place on Tuesday, involving supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) returning from a local government election campaign.
The Incident
One of the injured victims, Babawo Lauwawu, shared his harrowing experience. Lauwawu sustained bullet wounds during the incident and provided a detailed account of what transpired. According to him, the trouble began with the enforcement of a curfew in Lere.
“Yesterday (Tuesday), shortly after I left our Mai Shayi joint, we heard that a curfew had been imposed on Lere town starting from 10 pm. We didn’t know who imposed it or why, but we all complied and entered our houses around 9 pm,” Lauwawu recounted.
He continued, “Unfortunately, around 9 pm, we heard gunshots from the security even before the curfew time while we were inside our houses. During the commotion, I was shot in the leg. We obeyed their directives, but we didn’t know why they were shooting sporadically.”
Official Response
The Bauchi State Police Command quickly responded to the incident. In a statement released on Wednesday, the spokesman of the Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakili, confirmed the events and assured the public that those responsible would be identified and held accountable.
Wakili stated, “It’s important to note that the command swiftly responded to the situation. Upon receiving the information, the Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Mohammed, dispatched a unit of the Mobile Police Force to the area for reinforcement.”
Wakili also mentioned that a team of seasoned detectives has been constituted to conduct a professional, diligent, and timely investigation to ensure that justice is served. He emphasized the importance of a meticulous investigation process that utilizes all necessary protocols, including technical and scientific tools, to provide justice and resolution in this matter.
Community Reaction
The community of Lere town is in shock and mourning the loss of Habibu Aminu, a promising young man whose life was cut short. The residents are demanding answers and accountability for the actions of the soldiers involved. Many have expressed their frustration and fear over the use of excessive force by security personnel.
A local resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “We are deeply saddened by this incident. Habibu was a good young man with a bright future ahead of him. We want justice for him and the others who were injured. The authorities must ensure that those responsible are punished accordingly.”
