Tension gripped the Barnawa area of Kaduna South local government area on Monday evening following the killing of a young man during an operation in the area.
The killing, allegedly from a stray bullet fired by a personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) sparked protests and forced the closure of several business premises in the area.
Our correspondent who narrowly escaped the protest, said the details of the incident was not clear as of press time, but reporting eyewitnesses saying the deceased was hit by a stray bullet while chasing a suspected drug dealer.
The incident occurred near a busy junction in the Barnawa Market area, a densely populated community known for its vibrant social scene.
According to local sources, NDLEA operatives arrived in an unmarked vehicle and attempted to apprehend a suspect believed to be in possession of narcotics when a shot was fired, hitting an uninvolved passerby.
“We were all here when the NDLEA men chased someone. They were shouting at him to stop. Suddenly, one of them fired a shot, but it struck an innocent young man who had nothing to do with the matter,” a resident identified simply as Murtala told LEADERSHIP.
The identity of the victim had not been released at the time of filing this report, but locals described him as a quiet and industrious youth residing in the area.
In the wake of the shooting, irate youths from the community mobilised and barricaded the major Aliyu Makama Road and set tyres ablaze, as they chant songs demanding justice for the victim.
One of the protesters who called himself Abubakar Idris decried the frequency of such incidents in the community. “They say they are chasing criminals, but innocent lives keep getting lost. The government must act—this cannot be swept under the carpet,” he said.
The protest disrupted vehicular movement and forced business owners, including those operating entertainment spots, eateries and shops, to shut down for fear of escalation.
When contacted, Spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the incident, stating that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter.
“Yes, we have received the information about the incident, and the CP has directed that a thorough investigation be conducted,” DSP Hassan said in a WhatsApp response to an inquiry.
Additional police patrol teams have been deployed to the area to restore calm. While some protesters gradually dispersed, others vowed to return should the authorities fail to take decisive action.
Messages sent to the spokesman of the NDLEA were not replied as at the time of filing this report.
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