- Amid ongoing protests in Nigeria, the palace of the district head of Lere town in Tafawa Balewa LGA, Bauchi State, has been set ablaze
- Bauchi State police spokesperson Ahmad Wakili said the violence resulted from a clash between soldiers and local PDP members
- One person was reportedly killed, and six others were wounded by gunshots during the clash
With protests raging in the country and security agents trying to curtail its spread, the palace of Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar Bawa, the district head of Lere town in Tafawa Balewa LGA, in Bauchi State, was burned down by some youths on Wednesday, August 7.
According to Bauchi state police spokesperson Ahmad Wakili, the incident was caused by a clash between soldiers and local PDP members.
Investigation is ongoing - Ahmad Wakili
Wakili confirmed the incident saying, “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.
One person was killed, six injured
According to reports, Habibu Aminu was killed, and six others were wounded by gunshots during the incident.
Wakili further said, “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 utilises all necessary protocols, including technical and scientific tools. It is crucial to ensure thorough investigations to provide justice and resolution in this matter.”
One of the survivors of the clash, a resident from the Lere community, Zaharedden Mohammed explained that the conflict arose from a misunderstanding between the military and a group of PDP supporters returning from a local government election campaign at the checkpoint.
Soldiers accused of hiding under curfew to attack youths
Mohammed said, “Some youths in the campaign team had a misunderstanding with the military, and the military decided to hide under the curfew to attack certain individuals. Before the curfew time around 9 pm, they launched their onslaught.
“When the gunshots subsided, we were summoned to the Sarki’s palace to listen to the LGA chairman. While waiting for the chairman, a local hunter working with the military was cautioned by the youth leader to stop shooting, but he refused. Before we knew it, he pointed a rifle at my face, pulled the trigger, and shot at me. He damaged my entire left eye, and now I can see with only one eye.”
According to reports, youths burnt the palace of Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar Bawa, the district head of Lere town, over alleged imposition of the curfew and the shooting of the youths.
Soldier arrested for allegedly killing 16-year-old protester in Kaduna
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that following a 24-hour curfew in Kaduna, security personnel were attacked by hoodlums, prompting a soldier to fire a shot.
The warning shot allegedly killed one of the protesters, a 16-year-old boy. The Nigerian Army disclosed that the soldier involved had been arrested and was undergoing interrogation.