2 Killed As Police Nab 7 Over Bauchi Communal Clash

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested seven suspects in connection with a criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance and culpable homicide that occurred in Dass local government area of the state on Friday.

Police preliminary investigation revealed that on on September 4, one Ibrahim El-Safwan, aka Jabala’i, of Bayan Fada area, Dass, allegedly conspired with his accomplices to intercept and attack 29-year-old Abdulrahman Nuru, a tricycle rider from Bundot area, Dass.

Nuru was allegedly stabbed with cutlasses on various parts of his body at Tudun Wus area of Dass.
A statement issued on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said that upon receiving the report, a team of policemen attached to the Dass Division swiftly mobilised to the scene.
“On arrival, it was discovered that personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, whose headquarters is close to the scene, had already taken custody of the tricycle and one suspect.

“The victim was immediately rushed to the General Hospital, Dass, where he was subsequently confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” the statement said.

The incident subsequently sparked tension in the area as youths from Bundot mobilised in large numbers, armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, and allegedly stormed Bayan Fada in a reprisal attack.

The Police said this led to a violent confrontation between the two groups at an open space near the Dass Central Motor Park, during which another victim, 38-year-old Mukhtar Jibrin of Bayan Fada, was stabbed.

Jibrin was rushed to the General Hospital, Dass, and later referred to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, where he was also confirmed dead.

The command said its detectives swiftly intervened, succeeded in containing the situation and restored normalcy in the area.

The seven suspects arrested in connection with the incident are Umar Abubakar, 20, of Bayan Fada area, identified as the principal suspect; Bulus Garba, 19; Adamu Muhammad, 17; Hussaini Danjuma, 17; Hassan Danjuma, 17; Shuaibu Sani, 17 and Aliyu Abdullahi, 18, all of Bundot area, Dass.

The Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other accomplices who are currently at large.

The Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the killings and ordered a discreet and thorough investigation into the incident.

He also appealed to residents of Dass to remain calm and law-abiding and desist from taking the law into their own hands, assuring them that justice would be served.