Tension is rising in Bauchi State following reports that soldiers from Operation Safe Haven’s Tafawa Balewa unit allegedly shot a man identified as Habibu Aminu. The incident, which occurred at Lere village in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area on Tuesday, also left four other individuals seriously injured.
State Police Command spokesperson Ahmed Wakili confirmed the incident, explaining that on August 7, 2024, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Lere Village were campaigning in preparation for the upcoming local government elections on August 17, 2024. The group, traveling in three Sharon vehicles, encountered a checkpoint set up by Operation Safe Haven personnel.
According to Wakili, the campaigners were stopped at the checkpoint but continued driving to Lere. Subsequently, troops arrested one of the drivers at his residence in Lere. In response, the crowd grew agitated and returned to the checkpoint in an attempt to free the detained driver. The troops then opened fire on the crowd.
The shooting resulted in injuries to Habibu Aminu, Babawo, Nawawu, Abdulrashid, Ahmed Yashim, and Yakubu Bello, all residents of Tafawa Balewa. Aminu later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while the others are receiving medical treatment.
