an anti-riot policeman, Corporal Aliyu
Hamisu, reportedly shot his colleague, Joshua Mathew, dead at a bank in
Zaria, Kaduna State on Friday.
Hamisu, reportedly shot his colleague, Joshua Mathew, dead at a bank in
Zaria, Kaduna State on Friday.
He also killed a young boy who was at the bank to withdraw money from an ATM and an Okada rider.
The circumstances behind the incident
were hazy, but it was learnt that Hamisu and Mathew, a sergeant got into
an argument which led to the former shooting the latter and two others.
were hazy, but it was learnt that Hamisu and Mathew, a sergeant got into
an argument which led to the former shooting the latter and two others.
There are different versions of the
incident. While one version said Hamisu shot at Mathew, another version
said it was the other way round.
incident. While one version said Hamisu shot at Mathew, another version
said it was the other way round.
But the News Agency of Nigeria reported
that the quarrel between the two officers ensued following a discovery
that the sergeant had been short-changing the corporal.
that the quarrel between the two officers ensued following a discovery
that the sergeant had been short-changing the corporal.
Northern City News gathered that Hamisu
was shot on the legs by other policemen at the bank and subsequently
mobbed by the crowd.
was shot on the legs by other policemen at the bank and subsequently
mobbed by the crowd.
The incident caused pandemonium in the
area and forced the bank to hurriedly shut down its operation as
motorists and everyone scampered to safety on hearing gunshots.
area and forced the bank to hurriedly shut down its operation as
motorists and everyone scampered to safety on hearing gunshots.
An eyewitness, Prince Sam, who wrote
about the incident on an online forum, Nairaland.com, said Hamisu of
MOPOL 47, Zaria gunned down his colleague and two bank customers before
he was killed by other policemen.
about the incident on an online forum, Nairaland.com, said Hamisu of
MOPOL 47, Zaria gunned down his colleague and two bank customers before
he was killed by other policemen.
He wrote, “I was there when it all went
down but I was afraid to take pictures of the incident with my phone. I
woke up early this morning (Friday), made my way to the bank, Manchester
Road precisely where GT Bank was situated. I got there, but there was
no money at the ATM. In fact, I went round the whole of Zaria but none
of the ATMs was loaded with money.
down but I was afraid to take pictures of the incident with my phone. I
woke up early this morning (Friday), made my way to the bank, Manchester
Road precisely where GT Bank was situated. I got there, but there was
no money at the ATM. In fact, I went round the whole of Zaria but none
of the ATMs was loaded with money.
“I got to Diamond Bank roundabout and
made my way to Zenith Bank. I got there but the crowd there was
something else; so as I was about leaving, two of the MOPOLS (anti-riot
policemen) guarding the bank were arguing. One of them asked the other
to hand over his rifle to him or he would shoot him.
made my way to Zenith Bank. I got there but the crowd there was
something else; so as I was about leaving, two of the MOPOLS (anti-riot
policemen) guarding the bank were arguing. One of them asked the other
to hand over his rifle to him or he would shoot him.
“Like a joke, the guy cocked his rifle.
His name was Ayuba Hamisu while the other one was Joshua Matthew. Both
of them were sergeants attached to Mopol 47 squadron Zaria. So Joshua
handed over his rifle to Ayuba knowing that Ayuba had already cocked his
rifle and anything could happen, while the rest of the MOPOLS were just
looking in amazement. The next thing I heard was ‘lie down.’ At this
moment, I knew something terrible was about to happen. So I left the
premises of the bank, started my vehicle and drove off immediately.
His name was Ayuba Hamisu while the other one was Joshua Matthew. Both
of them were sergeants attached to Mopol 47 squadron Zaria. So Joshua
handed over his rifle to Ayuba knowing that Ayuba had already cocked his
rifle and anything could happen, while the rest of the MOPOLS were just
looking in amazement. The next thing I heard was ‘lie down.’ At this
moment, I knew something terrible was about to happen. So I left the
premises of the bank, started my vehicle and drove off immediately.
“It was not up to 30 seconds when I
heard a gunshot, people started running for their dear lives, I parked
my car to know what was going on, then I looked down towards Zenith Bank
and saw two people lying dead on the ground, including Joshua.”
heard a gunshot, people started running for their dear lives, I parked
my car to know what was going on, then I looked down towards Zenith Bank
and saw two people lying dead on the ground, including Joshua.”
Sam further narrated that after shooting
three persons, Hamisu shot into the air, chanting Allahu Akbar. He was
reportedly shot by his colleagues on both legs.
three persons, Hamisu shot into the air, chanting Allahu Akbar. He was
reportedly shot by his colleagues on both legs.
The Kaduna State Police Public
Relations Officer, Aliyu Usman, confirmed the incident to NAN. He
however said he had yet to get the full details.
Relations Officer, Aliyu Usman, confirmed the incident to NAN. He
however said he had yet to get the full details.