SaharaReporters on Tuesday reported that one Ibrahim Yahaya was killed by a member of the Wuse Market Task Force in Abuja.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command says it has arrested the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) officer identified as Usman Ishaya Magaji who shot dead a trader at Wuse Market on Tuesday.
SaharaReporters on Tuesday reported that one Ibrahim Yahaya was killed by a member of the Wuse Market Task Force in Abuja.
Several vehicles and shops were burnt following the killing of the trader after he was apprehended by members of the task for alleged illegal trading in the market.
It was gathered that some of the traders allegedly operating illegally were arrested, handcuffed and put inside a bus near the police station in the market. They were also asked to pay a fine of N15,000 or go to jail.
Surprisingly the victim was said to have stood up in the process to use the restroom but was reportedly shot at close range by one of the trigger-happy task force members.
However, the FCT command in a statement signed by SP Josephine Adeh, the Police Public Relations Officer, on Tuesday night noted that the suspect alongside others were being conveyed to the prison, when he reportedly jumped from the vehicle and took to his heels in an attempt to escape.
"Following the report of a civil unrest at Wuse Market today being 12/03/2024 at about 3:30 PM, the Commissioner of Police FCT Command, CP Benneth Igweh, personally led a team of police operatives to the scene, assessed and swiftly restored order.
"Preliminary investigation revealed that one Ibrahim Yahaya ‘27 years’ was apprehended by operatives of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Task Force and was taken before a mobile court which sits every Tuesday in Wuse Market, and he was convicted. Suspect alongside others were being conveyed to the prison, when he reportedly jumped from the vehicle and took to his heels in an attempt to escape.
"Two armed correctional service personnel who were in the vehicle went after him and in the process, shot him. The said Ibrahim Yahaya was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors on ground confirmed him dead.
"The development led some irate mobs who witnessed the situation set ablaze eight (8) vehicles and ten (10) shops in the environs. The whole fire situation erupted uproar from residents but was brought under control by combined effort of the Federal fire service and other security agencies present.
"The Command has arrested the Correctional officer by name CA2 Usman Ishaya Magaji ‘M’ the officer who shot the victim one IBRAHIM YAHAYA of Gishiri Village, MABUCHI .
"Suspect presently in police custody as investigation is ongoing," she added.