Until his death on Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Aminu Umar, was a source of hope to the millions of residents of six local government areas in Katsina State being tormented by the activities of bandits.
In the last few years, bandits have subjected the people in the area to attacks resulting in kidnapping, rape, cattle rustling and pillaging of their crops.
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ACP Aminu Umar was the Area Commander in Dutsin-Ma, whose duty was to ensure the safety of the citizens and in this he gave a good account of himself. In fact, he lost his life in the line of duty.
According to a statement by the Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Police, Umar along with one other officer, lost their lives when they were ambushed by bandits.
Umar was said to have mobilised his men and some members of the vigilante group in the area after receiving information that more than 300 bandits were seen moving to attack some villages.
The incident happened in Zakka forest in Safana Local Government Area.
The Commissioner of Police, Idrisu Dabban Dauda, expressed “his deep sympathy to the family of the deceased and prayed the Almighty Allah to repose their souls,’’ the statement added.
A resident of Dutsin-Ma who was privy to the incident said a combined team of police and vigilantes was involved in the operation in which the two officers paid the supreme price.
“Our vigilantes here told us about a combined team of police and vigilantes heading to Yauni village to face bandits.
“Later we heard that there was a fatal clash and some police officers and some vigilantes were shot by the bandits.
“About seven military vehicles provided reinforcement and we later saw some police vehicles carrying some bodies that I could not identify because I was not close to them,” a resident told Daily Trust.
Since his death was confirmed, it has been a subject of discussion among groups in the area. Many residents told Daily Trust that the death ACP Umar was a big loss to the fight against banditry. They said he contributed immensely to the fight with successes recorded.
They said he was seen by many as a hero and brave officer and loved for his selfless service.
According to Yandakan Katsina, District Head of Dutsin-Ma, Alhaji Sada Muhammad Sada, the late ACP Umar was a courageous and heroic officer who was committed to his duty.
“There is nothing we could say more than to pray to Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and admit him into paradise.
“He was a kind man, brave and very committed to his duties. Whenever and from wherever he receives a distress call, he would mobilise his men and respond quickly to such calls. We really lost a courageous police officer,” he said.
Also, the Galadiman Katsina, the District Head of Malumfashi, Justice Sadik Abdullahi Mahuta, described the death of ACP Umar as a great loss not only to Katsina State, but to the country.
“He was a very well-known gallant officer and his death was not only a loss to our state but to the whole of the country, because he died in the course of his duty to make sure that we live in peace.
“We mourn his death and we pray to Almighty Allah to rest his soul in peace,” he said.
Katsina CSOs ask Buhari to justify security spending
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Civil Societies (CSOs) in Katsina State in its reaction to the killing of the Area Commander, has asked the federal government to justify the resources being spent on security.
The chairman of the coalition, Abdurrahman Abdullahi, in a statement said: “We lost a gallant officer who has passion for his job. It is disturbing that government’s inability to provide our security men with working tools and chase bandits to their enclaves is continually resulting in loss of gallant officers like ACP Aminu Umar and other innocent Nigerians.
“The bandits are gradually becoming stronger and bold by the day. The fight should be taken to their enclaves using land and air forces. But unfortunately, the air force and army are not striking with the needed force.
“You will see a fighter jet flying in the sky but when you ask for casualties you can’t see any. Bandits are attacking innocent people few miles away from military bases but no intervention. Money is being spent on daily basis for security but the situation is worsening every day.
“It is high time the president and the National Assembly begun to query why there are no commensurate results to security investment. This senseless killing must stop.”
Also reacting to the ugly incident, a resident of Dutsin-Ma who is the Chairman of Dutsin-Ma Youths Progressive Forum, said, “We are deeply saddened by the killing of this gentleman, because he was the kind of person who took his work very seriously and with commitment and patriotism he discharged his responsibilities.
“He was brave and always in the forefront whenever it comes to the issue of fight against this banditry. He was always at the battlefield; he spent more hours on the field than in his office, which is why you will see that every resident of Dutsin-Ma and all the surrounding local government areas is affectionate of him.
“He was steadfast in ensuring security in this area and it is on that cause that he lost his life. That is why we are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to honour him. That will spur other police officers and other security agents to be more dedicated to their duty, knowing that dedication to service is appreciated,” he said.
Umar was one of the bandits’ prime targets – Residents
In a chat with the residents of the area where the incident happened, it was gathered that Umar was among three people targeted by the bandits. They said this was because the deceased had led many operations that resulted to the killing and arrest of many bandits.
“At the moment, people are living in fear and are calling for more personnel to be deployed to avert imminent attacks,” he said.
“They have killed Zahra, they have killed the Area Commander now it is only Abdulkadir that is left and this area has become porous now, because they were the bravest people who constantly repelled bandits’ attacks. We are in great danger. Unless something is done drastically, this place will be under the grip of these criminals,” he said.
Bandits jubilating over the death
Some residents of the area claimed that the bandits were sighted jubilating over the death of the area commander, saying “the god of Dutsin-Ma is gone”.
However, Daily Trust could not independently verify the claim but many believe that he was one of their prime targets because of his numerous forays into their dens.
Late ACP Umar was buried on Wednesday in his hometown, Dayi, in Malumfashi LGA of Katsina State amidst tears after the funeral prayer which was attended by hundreds of people.
