On Wednesday, there was chaos in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, after members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) allegedly shot and killed a lady while attempting to apprehend robbers.
The terrible occurrence, which occurred as Muslim faithful were gathered for Eid prayer, provoked resentment and unrest among people, escalating tensions in the area.
According to an eyewitness, the NSCDC officers opened fire indiscriminately while pursuing suspected hoodlums armed with hazardous weapons, resulting in the unfortunate murder of an innocent woman.
In response to the shooting, an angry mob gathered and vented their frustration by setting ablaze an NSCDC vehicle.
Confirming the incident to Channels Television via a telephone conversation, the police spokesperson in Zamfara State, ASP Yazid Abubakar, said two NSCDC personnel linked with the shooting are currently in the custody of the police.
He said the Zamfara State Police Command has started a probe into the cause of the incident.
“We have two of them in our custody as we speak now. The command is still investigating the incident.”
When contacted, the Spokesperson for the NSCDC in Zamfara State, Ikor Oche, denied the allegation that the men of the Civil Defence shot the victim.
He said the personnel of the Corps were at their post, observing the movement of the Muslim faithful who were out to observe the Eid prayer when they heard the gunshot.
According to him, they mobilised to the scene where they met a woman fatally injured.
“Because they were the ones close to the scene, a mob descended on them. They had to run for their safety and abandoned their Hilux vehicle. The vehicle was set ablaze by the mob and about seven of our men were injured. They did not shoot or kill anybody.”
Oche said the state command of NSCDC has also launched an investigation to unravel the cause of the incident.
Meanwhile, policemen dispersed the mob who vandalised and burnt the vehicle of the Civil Defence and normalcy was returned in the area.
(PLATINUM POST)