Tragic Shooting: Niger Widow Accuses Police of Killing Her Son

Aisha Hassan, a widow, claims local police in Niger State killed her son, Sani Khalid, following an unprovoked shooting. Neighbors allege the officer was intoxicated during the incident, while police attribute the death to a stray bullet amid reported unrest. Investigations are ongoing as the community mourns the tragic loss.

Aisha Hassan, a widow from Niger State, has accused local police of killing her 27-year-old son, Sani Khalid, in a tragic incident. The event occurred in the Angwa-Kaje area of Maitumbi, where Aisha resides with her eight children. On the night of the incident, around 3 a.m., as Khalid stepped outside for fresh air, he was allegedly shot by a police officer.

Aisha recounted that she and her children were asleep when they heard a police vehicle approaching, followed by gunfire. Reacting instinctively, she alarmed her children about the shooting. Upon searching for Khalid, she discovered him lying motionless on a bench nearby and quickly sought help. Neighbors, alerted by her screams, attempted to assist by taking Khalid to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead due to gunshot wounds.

In an emotional interview, Aisha expressed her devastation, describing Khalid’s role as a family breadwinner after losing her husband. She lamented, “He was killed just like that.” Neighbors corroborated her account, asserting that the police officer was likely intoxicated during the incident, having fired at Khalid while he was unarmed and lying on the mai shai’s bench. One neighbor, Ibrahim, recounted the sequence of events, noting the quiet morning and the officer’s reckless behavior.

During a visit, Aisha remained surrounded by fellow mourners, gripped by sorrow over her son’s death. Although unhappy with the police’s response, the Niger State Police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed a stray bullet had killed Khalid amidst unrest caused by local youths. However, he did not address claims regarding the officer’s alleged intoxication.

Abiodun stated that the police had received a distress call at 3 a.m. about disturbances in Angwan-Kaje, leading to the patrol team’s deployment. He indicated an investigation was underway into the shooting, promising further updates to the public concerning developments in the case.

The tragic death of Sani Khalid has raised serious concerns regarding police conduct and accountability in Niger State. Aisha Hassan’s poignant recounting of events highlights the profound personal loss experienced by families in such incidents. As investigations proceed, the community seeks justice and clarity surrounding the actions of local law enforcement and the circumstances leading to the fatal shooting.

Original Source: punchng.com