Kano State Police Commissioner Mohammed Usaini Gumel has ordered the arrest of an inspector who killed Saris Player, a resident of Kano, during clashes between 2 rival street groups in the state.
At least two residents of Kano were killed when police were invited to quell an outbreak of inter-gang violence in the Kurna region of the Fagge local government area of Kano Province.
One of the residents who was shot by police died, and the suffering residents blocked the busy Kurna, Rijiyar Lemo, on Mile’ Tara’ road.
According to witnesses, police arrived to quell the fight between 2 rival street groups (Yan Daba).
When police arrived they started shooting to disperse the crowd and two people were hit, with Salisu player dead from his injuries.
The protests followed Mr. Player’s death.
The source added that the first fight was caused by disagreements over the young woman.
“The clashes were due to disagreements over girls who have suitors from both rival groups. The fighting began on Monday and continued until late Tuesday,” the source said.
The state police spokesman, Haruna Kiyawa, said the police commissioner, Muhammad Gumel, had instructed the Dara regional commander to form an investigative committee and lead a preliminary investigation into the killing.
He said the commissioner has assured the public that justice will be provided in the matter.
Police said in a statement:”The Police Command is following up on the unfortunate developments that occurred in the Kurna Quarter of Fagge LGA Kano Province in 2023/11/28, when a group of rival resistant young people engaged in combat, police inspectors who were not commanded from the existing chain of command opened fire and unfortunately 2 injured and 1 other died while being treated in hospital.
The police Commissioner, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA and psc have instructed regional commanders Dala, ACP Nuhu Mohammed Digi to fish the wrong police inspector to form a commission of inquiry into the cause of the incident in which the results are communicated to the public, forgetting that a few hours later the police inspector was arrested and is now in police custody.
“This behavior of the police inspector is very disappointing. This is because, since the assumption of the CP office, the police have never entered into confrontation with members of the public talk less of firing gunshots. It is a known fact that the police order is fully committed to respect for the rights and freedoms of all people.
“Therefore, the command calls on members of the public to rest assured that justice will be provided in handling a very strange situation when compared to the cordial relationship that exists between the police and the public.
“While the Commissioner of the police is praying for the families of the deceased and commiserating and departing souls, the command is taking the case with the utmost seriousness and is committed to upholding the principles of justice and transparency.”
“Let us all realize that this is a period of attempts for police command alongside all the peace-loving people of the state, as ‘hijackers’ are everywhere to turn protests into political and incite escalation of violence that is not in the national interest.”
