Tension has risen in Lere District, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, following a deadly clash between soldiers and residents.
According to eyewitnesses, the soldiers from Operation Haven of the Nigerian Army, who were enforcing a curfew imposed by the local Emir, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar Bawa, killed five people and injured eight others.
The violence allegedly erupted after the soldiers brutally beat a driver who refused to pay a bribe, sparking outrage among local youths who confronted the military personnel.
Witnesses report that Nigerian Army soldiers stormed a market in Lere District on Tuesday at 9pm, an hour before the scheduled 10pm curfew, and opened fire on the crowd, resulting in the deaths of five people and injuring eight others.
This incident occurred despite residents having complied with the curfew for over three weeks.
A resident who spoke to SaharaReporters on the condition of anonymity said, “This has been ongoing for over a year.
“Yesterday, a motor driver was stopped at a checkpoint, and when he refused to give money to the soldiers, they brutally beat him.
“The youths of Lere mobilised to the checkpoint to intervene, but the soldiers and mobile police officers opened fire, killing Habibu Aminu Mahmoud, 31, a graduate of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, and three others: Salau Ahmad Kasim, 13, Babawo Lauwahu Kanji, 32, and Deene Baban Uwale, 15.
“Usman Abubakar was also killed. The soldiers and police prevented the injured youths from getting medical attention, blocking them from being taken to the hospital until they confirmed their deaths.
“The Emir, who is an ordinary Emir, not even a second- class Emir imposed a curfew which the chairman of the local government area and the police who came there confirmed that they were not aware of.
“People have been obeying the curfew, but the Emir has been collaborating with the soldiers and some civilians he employed as Joint Task Force including Babawo Yahaya, Sulaiman Yahaya and Sulaiman Babawo, to always go around at night to enforce it and even if people are inside their houses watching television, they would drag them out and beat them.
“The attack and killing that happened last night was after the clash between the soldiers and the angry youths over the beating of the driver.”
Abubakar Aminu, a resident who spoke to SaharaReporters by phone, revealed that he was shot in the leg during the incident. He also disclosed that his mother, Zainab Aminu, was injured in the shooting. Both Abubakar and his mother are currently receiving medical treatment at the local general hospital.
He said, “My name is Abubakar Aminu. Yes, I am one of the people the soldiers injured last night. My mother was also injured. I am at the general hospital where I am receiving treatment because I was injured in my leg by the soldiers.
“We did not do anything. Our Emir declared a curfew that always starts by 10 in the night but yesterday, it was not 10 yet, it was around 9pm when the soldiers came to the market and started shooting at us. They killed some people and injured many of us.”
Bauchi Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Wakili, confirmed the incident when contacted, but attributed the violence to a clash between Nigerian soldiers and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area, rather than a curfew enforcement operation.
The police spokesperson said, “Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the unfortunate incident involving the late Habibu Aminu from Lere village in Tafawa Balewa LGA.
“The situation arose following an altercation between some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Lere Village and personnel of Operation Safe Haven stationed in Tafawa Balewa.
“It’s important to note that the Command swiftly responded to the situation. 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.
“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 utilizes all necessary protocols, including technical and scientific tools.
“It is crucial to ensure that thorough investigations are carried out to provide justice and resolution in this matter.”
