Sokoto mob kill Nigerien supplying ammunition to bandits
The Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Ka’oje, has directed full-scale investigation into the killing of a suspected supplier of ammunition to bandits by a mob in the Gada Local Government Area of the state.
The body of the suspect, who allegedly hailed from Niger Republic, was subsequently thrown into a river by the villagers and washed away.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Muhammad Sadiq, said in a statement, “Information was received at the Gada Divisional Headquarters on Sunday that an unknown person from Niger Republic, who was suspected to be supplying arms and ammunition to bandits, was intercepted at Diboni village of the Gada LGA on his way to Zamfara State.
“When his passage was obstructed by flood due to heavy downpour, the suspect sought community members to assist him bypass the flooded area, in the course of which a sack conveyed on his motorcycle was suspected by the villagers; the sack was forcibly opened despite resistance by the suspect and a large quantity of ammunition was discovered to be concealed in the sack, which led to the subsequent lawless lynching and disposing of the remains of the suspect in a river by the villagers.
“Upon receipt of the information, the DPO, Gada Divisional Headquarters, led a team of detectives to the scene, recovered 3,144 pieces of 7.62x39mm calibre AK-47 live ammunition and an unregistered Kasea motorcycle; the detectives simultaneously commenced preliminary investigation and tracing of the disposed remains of the suspect.”
The CP directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to commence a full-scale investigation into the incident and ensure the recovery of the suspect’s body for possible identification and autopsy.
Ka’oje, while cautioning members of the public to desist from self-help and taking the law into their own hands, enjoined them to embrace timely passage of useful information to the police.
