A 13-year old boy, Khalifa Umar, was shot dead by gunmen who stormed Jama’are Market in Bauchi State’s Jama’are Local Government Area.
The gunmen also kidnapped Alhaji Sama’ila Magaji and injured two others yesterday night.
According to a Jama’are local, the attack surprised everyone because it was new to them and there were no surrounding forest areas.
“Saturday was a market day and we sighted up to 40 or 50 gunmen on motorcycles,” the resident who craved anonymity said.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ahmed Wakili confirmed the incident today to Channels Television.
“Yesterday, about 20:10: 00 hours that’s about 8:10 in the evening some unknown hoodlums came in large numbers. They were riding motorcycles,” Wakili said.
“They invaded Jama’are market shooting in the air where they kidnapped one Alhaji Sama’ila Magaji, shot and killed one Khalifa Umar who is 13 years old and wounded one Mustafa Sabiu 51 years old and shot him on his lap. The bullet brushed one Chiboke Rapheal in his stomach.”
After receiving the distress call, the police spokesman stated that the Command directed the Divisional Police Officer of Jama’are and his team to respond quickly.
He added that officers responded to the crime scene, rescued the injured person, and transported him to the hospital.
Four empty AK-47 shells and one live cartridge were seized at the scene of the crime.
According to reports, the victim’s remains was released to the family for burial according to Islamic rituals.
Wakili, a Superintendent of Police, further verified that the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police has now asked the Area Commander to make desperate measures to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
“Presently our officers and men are in the bush combing the bush to see to the possible rescue of victims. Information from members of the public revealed that the assailants were not from the state. Sometimes, we have an influx of strangers. We are appealing to the members of the public to calm down,” he added.
