One killed after N2.5m POS robbery in Plateau

One person was killed while three others were injured after robbers attacked a POS kiosk in Dangi town of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, making away with N2.5 million.

However, the deceased’s name given as Muhammad Haruna was alleged to have been shot dead by a soldier operating in the area.

• Sexual harassment’: Police complete probe of Ogun Commissioner
• 7 suspected kidnappers, rapists arrested by police in Gombe

The attack on the POS centre was said to have occurred around 8:30 pm when robbers disguised as customers attacked the owner of the centre and robbed him of over N2m.

Shapi’I Sambo, a youth leader in Wase LG from where the deceased hails accused personnel of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) of killing Haruna, who, in the company of a friend,  was  returning from Jarmai town to Wase after attending a wedding ceremony.

The youth explained that “The deceased and one other Musa Shehu who were riding on a motorcycle were on their way to Dangi around 9: pm when they sighted people with touch lights. They thought those flashing lights were armed robbers and they quickly made a U-turn and as soon as they turned, one of the soldiers at the checkpoint opened fire on them, resulting in the death of Muhammad. Shehu was injured and is currently receiving treatment at Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.”

But the OPSH’s spokesman, Major Ibrahim Shittu, who confirmed the incident, said the personnel of the operation in the area were on patrol along the said road following the POS robbery.

He said, “On January 8, at about 8:30 pm, there was a robbery at a POS point behind Central Market where four armed robbers on bikes with AK 47 rifles charted away N2.5m and shot one Mr. Aminu, the owner of the POS shop. Our troops in conjunction with other security agencies pursued the robbers who escaped and later we dominated the area with patrols.

“One of the robbers was later arrested and handed over to the police. On January 9, bikes moving at high speed on the road passed our troop’s location, and the area commander quickly alerted the troops at Kemsingi checkpoint to stop and search the bikes. On sighting the troops, they tried to escape and troops engaged them and four of them sustained gunshot wounds. The suspects were rushed to the General Hospital, Dangi.  Two were treated and discharged while two others were referred to Bauchi Teaching Hospital for further treatment. In the process of moving them to hospital, one died,” Major Shittu added.

The youth leader however called on the authorities concerned to investigate the matter and bring the soldier in question to book, adding that there was serious tension following the killing of Muhammad.