Crisis: Police Inspector, Sergeant killed in Niger state

*Sen. Umaru calls for restraint from all parties involved

It was a black Sunday at Allawa town of Niger state as a police Inspector and a Sergeant were killed in a disturbance that broke out between men of the vigilante and the police in the area.

Inspector Alfa Idris and Sergeant Joseph Peter were killed when they went to the town to facilitate the arrest of some suspects named in connection with those “picked up from the towns mosque almost two weeks ago” by men of the vigilante in the town.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, David Umaru has called for restraint from all parties involved in the recent incidents at Allawa village and suleja town in Shiroro and Suleja local government areas of the state during which two policemen lost their lives, describing it as unfortunate and condemnable.

Umaru stated this yesterday in a statement issued in Minna adding that he was at pains that the peace which had recently returned to the area after security agencies curtailed incessant cattle rustling attacks, is threatening once again to elude the Allawa village.

He said: “I am aware of the Allawa incident in my constituency and I am very concerned about this development. I think it was unnecessary because of the need for the people and security agencies to synergize in fighting criminals around the community. I hope that this isolated case will not repeat itself in future”.

Investigation revealed that men of the vigilante in the town believed to be members of ” a notorious gang” headed by one Lawal Kwali declared wanted by both the Niger and Kaduna state police commands had kidnapped seven people from the mosque and since they disappeared there had been no trace of their whereabouts.

It was learnt that two suspects arrested in connection with the kidnap of the seven people gave useful information to the police which led to late Inspector Alfa Idris and Sargeant Joseph Peter being put at the head of the five man team dispatched to arrest the suspects.

In the course of making the arrests, it was further learnt that men of the vigilante attacked the team resulting in the death of first, Sergeant Joseph Peter while injured Inspector Alfa Idris was rushed to the Kagara hospital for treatment.

Investigation further revealed that some military men believed to be from “special force” stormed the Kagara hospital and arrested five policemen leaving Inspector Alfa Idris to bleed to death because the hospital personnel also took to their heels.

When contacted Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, confirmed the story and said the Nigerian Army authorities in Minna released the arrested police men after being informed about the incident.

Elkana said chairman of the Allawa town vigilante believed to be the brain behind the whole crisis and some of his members would be invited for questioning by the police.