Woman accuses police of shooting son, command says looting aborted

The Borno State Police Command said it prevented hoodlums who hijacked the #endbadgovernance protest in Maiduguri from looting and vandalising private businesses during the August 1  protests which led to the death of four persons and left 34 others injured.

However, while the Borno Police gives its officers the thumbs up for a job well done, Hadjia Halima Ali, the mother of Habilu Ali has accused the Police of indiscriminately shooting at innocent citizens; the result which is the fatal shooting of her son who is currently recuperating at the state specialist hospital where other victims are also receiving free medical treatment.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, had narrated to Arewa PUNCH during an interactive session on Thursday in Maiduguri how the police in the state botched the attempts of hoodlums to loot and vandalise private homes, businesses and other properties.

According to him, security operatives tried to prevent the destruction of public facilities, but the high number of violent protesters destroyed several properties worth millions of naira belonging to the state government

He said “The properties destroyed included the Crossover bridge in Bulumkutu road, flower vessels from Malakachala round-about down to Airport Roundabout downward,  street lights on Lagos street, vandalisation of interlock from Gwange down to UMTH Junction”

The PPRO continued, “They destroyed four vehicles belonging to BOTMA in Mechanical Quarters and ransacked the office, they also looted properties from the office of  UNHR and attempted to break into warehouses; a move which was foiled by proactive measures of the police.”

Daso said he witnessed private vehicles and tricycles of non-protesters, which were on the verge of being destroyed by the hoodlums, but the attempt was thwarted by the physical presence of security operatives.

Speaking also on how the Police saved private homes, houses and businesses from being looted and the properties vandalised, he said, “As of now, we haven’t heard of any private store or shop which was completely ransacked, although, there were attempts. However because the state was in chaos, many people left their businesses. As I mentioned earlier the proactive measures of the police who were very much on the ground, prevented such attacks.”

Corroborating the Police, a resident of Maiduguri, Mohamed Abba said it was Allah and the effort of the Police that helped him as he would have become financially ruined because his shop was located in the Bulumkutu area where the protest escalated.

Abba narrated to Arewa PUNCH, “Walahi, I was at home praying that what was happening in other places as regards looting should not happen here because if it did, where will I start from? He queried.

“I have a kiosk here in Bulumkutu. All thanks to Allah and the Nigeria Police,” a visibly elated Abba said.

Meanwhile, Arewa PUNCH had reported that the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum had visited the state specialist hospital where the victims are receiving free medical treatment and are also being with the sum of N30,000 each.

However, Halima Ali, the mother of Habilu Ali, one of the Victims disclosed to Arewa PUNCH  that his son who is still receiving treatment was shot by the Nigeria Police Force, even though the state Commissioner of Police, Yusuf Lawal had attributed the shootings to  Boko Haram elements.