Uneasy calm has returned to Yar’Kukah area of Sharada, a suburb in Kano metropolis where police operatives attached to Anti-Daba of the police command in the state killed two persons Saturday night.
One of the victims was shot dead while the other was stabbed by the police in a squabble that broke out when the police stormed the area to effect an arrest.
The two victims were youths and their dead sparked a protest in the neighbourhood.
The victims were Abubakar Isah Musa and Ibrahim Sulaiman.
Parents demand justice for their slain children
Parents of the slain victims are still living in doubts as they are yet to be told why their children were murdered in cold blood by the police personnel.
Malam Suleiman Ibrahim, Father of late Ibrahim Suleiman, insisted that only justice for his slain child could calm him from the shock of the death of his 28-year-old son.
He explained that the operatives stormed the area on Saturday around 9pm in an unusual style and after arresting Ibrahim and his friend Abubakar, on the way they were killed before they even get to the police station.
“What happened to my son, yesterday, November 14, around 9pm operatives of police command under Anti-Daba unit entered into our neighbourhood and arrested Ibrahim and his friend and while they were going with them, the police shot his friend dead and for Ibrahim they stabbed him with the knife on his back.
“We were not told why they were arrested, and what ensued before they were killed still remains a mystery. We had followed that up to get an explanation from the police authority but we have not been told anything yet.
He added that after the incident the victims were taken to the hospital where Abubakar was confirmed dead on arrival and Ibrahim died while receiving treatment.
He said after the incident the issue was reported to Sharada division and they were with the family throughout until the deceased were buried.
Similarly Malam Musa Abdullahi, the father of Abubakar Musa said “I want the authorities to investigate and find out on what offence these children were murdered. Let there be justice so as to serve as deterrent to others. We don’t want this injustice to continue.”
Main suspect, Ghaddafi speaks
Ghaddafi Suleiman was the main suspect for whom the police stormed the area.
He explained that for three days police have been coming to the neigboughood to effect an arrest but it has never occurred to him that he was the target until about two days ago when they came while wedding party was ongoing in the area.
According to him, he was at a party venue within the neighbourhood when he noticed the informants of the police pointing at him in the crowd from afar to the police who had come to arrest him.
He said that after fleeing that attempt, “Yesterday (Saturday) I was sitting with my elder brothers they came again and on seeing them I started running and few steps I fall and they grabbed me. Then my brother came to plead, asking for my offence they also grabbed him saying that he was telling me to run away.
He said while they were moving away with him and his brother they one of the police personnel started shooting in the air and in the process the bullet hit Abubakar Musa, a childhood friend of his brother.
Ghaddafi explained that his brother was stabbed while trying to shield him when the police started manhandling him (Ghaddafi).
“They were beating me and I fall on the ground my brother stooped to pick me up one of them took out the knife and stabbed him.”
He said after the arrest had turned bloody the policemen fled and the victims were rushed to the hospital.
He said up till this moment he has not been told why the police were hunting for him.
He called for urgent measure to ensure that justice is done to his late brother and his friend.
When our correspondent visited the area no fewer than 12 police vehicles and numerous personnel have been drafted to the area with a view to forestall possible breakdown of law and order.
Suspected officers detained
The Police Public Relations Officer, Kano police command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa while confirming the incident said the state Commissioner of Police, Habu A. Sani had ordered for the arrest of the entire team that went for the operation, comprising civilian volunteers and the conventional policemen.
He said all have been detained at the state CID division for discrete investigation.
He called on the public to remain calm, saying investigation has commenced with a view to ensure that justice is done to the victims.
It could be recalled that last month similar incident happened at Kofar Mata area of the state capital during the heat of the EndSARS protest when a 23-year-old man, Saifullahi Sani was killed by the men of the command during their routine night patrol.
He was killed at the frontage of his house in the alleys of Kofar mata area. And the incident led to a protest as youth around the area converged and burnt tires on the roads in expression of their anger against police brutality.
