From Paul Orude Bauchi
Tension is currently brewing in Bauchi State following report that soldiers of Operation Safe Haven in Tafawa Balewa unit of Bauchi State have allegedly shot a man identified as Habibu Aminu in the area.
Four other persons were seriously injured in the incident which ocxurred at Lere village in Tafawa Balewa local government area of the state on Tuesday.
The spokesman for the state police command, Ahmed Wakili, confirmed the incident to journalists in Bauchi.
“Today, 7th August, 2024, some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Lere Village in Tafawa Balewa LGA in 3 Sharon vehicles went for a campaign in Lere District preparatory to local government elections coming up on the 17th of August, 2024,” Wakil said.
“On their way back, they had to pass through a checkpoint mounted by Personnel of Operation Safe Heaven based in Tafawa Balewa. They were stopped at the checkpoint but refused to stop and drove to Lere.
“However, the troops went and arrested one of the drivers in his house at Lere. Consequently, the people became more aggressive and went back to the checkpoint in order to free the arrested driver. The troops retracted and opened fire at the people.
“As a result, one Habibu Aminu, Babawo, Nawawu, Abdulrashid, Ahmed Yashim and Yakubu Bello, all residents of Tafawa Balewa sustained various degrees of injuries.
“The said Habibu Aminu later died at the hospital while others are responding to treatment.”