Metro

How Drunk Policeman Killed My Son, Widow Cries Out

Published

7 months ago

March 21, 2025

A widow of 11 years with nine children, Aisha Hassan, has accused operatives of the Niger State Police command of killing his 27-year-old son, Sani Khalid, in cold blood.

It was gathered that the incident happened in the Angwa-Kaje area of Maitumbi, Minna, Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, where she lived with her children before Khalid was allegedly killed by a police bullet.

Aisha, 45, The PUNCH that she and her children were sleeping in their apartment around 3am when Khalid stood up and went outside to get some fresh air due to the hot weather conditions.

She said before she knew what was happening, she heard an approaching police patrol vehicle and also heard a gunshot. When she heard the second gunshot, Instinctively, she told the children who were with her that somebody had been shot.

Aisha immediately ran outside to look for Khalid, and to her shock, she found Khalid lying on a bench in the nearby shop of a Mai Shai or tea vendor.

According to the widow, she cautiously went to where Khalid was lying down and shook him to get up and come inside the house, but Khalid did not react. When she repeated the act, Khalid fell down from the bench lifeless.

Aisha said she began to scream that the police had killed her son. Neighbours who were getting ready for the day’s Muslim fasting session soon gathered around to console her while some quickly took the body of Khalid to a nearby hospital where the doctors confirmed that he had been shot dead.

Narrating her ordeal, she told The PUNCH during an exclusive interview: “My name is Aisha Hassan. I lost my husband 11 years ago. We had nine children, but one died.

“On the night that he died, he was actually killed just like that. We were all in the house around 3am. When Sani got up and said he was going to take some fresh air.

“Shortly after, I heard the sound of a police patrol vehicle, and it was later followed by a gunshot. When I heard the second gunshot, I instinctively told my children that somebody had been shot. I left the room to look for Sani. I found him lying on a bench at a mai shai’s shop. I went to wake him to tell him to come inside the house.

“I shook him, but he was lifeless. I tried to shake him again, and he rolled down to the floor. I began to scream that the police had shot my son. People came over there and said we should take him to the hospital. When we got to the hospital, the doctors confirmed him dead.

“Sani, my son, was like the family’s breadwinner after my husband died. He was a footballer and used to do some trading in the market, but now that the police have killed him, they should bring back my son.”

Some neighbours in the Angwa Kaje area told The PUNCH that the policeman who shot Khalid was obviously drunk when he shot the gun, as he also attempted to shoot the mai hai but the mai shai narrowly escaped.

According to one of the neighbours, he said Khalid was unarmed and lying on the mai shai’s bench when the bullet hit him. They pointed out that the place was quiet as it was still very early in the morning.

“The policeman was drunk when he came down from the patrol van. He just shot at Khalid in the stomach while he was on the bench. He also tried to shoot the mai shai, but he escaped from the shop. We were getting ready for our fasting, and there was no disturbance. We were just wondering what the police came to do when we heard the sound of their patrol van,” one of the neighbours who gave his name as Ibrahim told our correspondent.

When The PUNCH visited Aisha at her Angwa Kaje home, she was still in a mourning mood with over 50 Muslim women who came to comfort and condole her. They all sat on the floor on the premises, speaking in hushed tones.

Aisha, who could not speak the English language, responded to questions through an interpreter who accompanied The PUNCH.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Police command spokesman Wasiu Abiodun confirmed Khalid’s killing, saying it was a stray bullet that hit Kalid.

He also said the youths in the area were causing unrest during the incident.

However, he was silent on the allegation that the policeman who shot the bullet that killed Khalid was under the influence of alcohol.

Abiodun simply stated, “On 10/3/2025 at about 3am, a Police patrol team attached to Maitumbi received a distress call that some youths were causing unrest at the Angwan-Kaje area of Maitumbi

“The team mobilised to the area, and unfortunately, the team was attacked by the youths with stones. In a bid to disperse the boys, one of the patrol team members fired gunshots, and stray bullets allegedly hit one Sani Khalid of the same address on the stomach

“The Police Command received the complaint of the alleged shooting, and DPO Maitumbi has been directed to investigate and identify the personnel who allegedly committed such an act for further necessary action.

“Further development and action taken will be made known to the public in due course,” Abiodun concluded.

Metro

Bauchi: Auto Crash Claimed 432, Injured 2,070 Persons In 1 Months — FRSC

Published

19 minutes ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says no fewer than 432 persons had been killed while 2,070 persons were injured in auto crashes within one month across the country.

Shehu Mohammed, the Corps Marshal of FRSC stated this in Bauchi on Monday in a news conference to flag off the 2025 Ember Months public enlightenment and sensitisation campa on road safety.

According to him, the figure was as a result of 533 reported cases of auto crashes that took place between January 15, 2024 and January 15, 2025 in the country.

Represented by Corps Commander Apaji Boyi, the Sector Commander, FRSC, Bauchi, Mohammed said that some of the major causes of those crashes were driver fatigue, overloading of persons, conveyance of persons in haulage vehicles and traveling with fuel in plastic containers.

While emphasising that driver behaviour was a fundamental element in determining safety on highways, said some road traffic infringements by drivers responsible for the previous road crash records included speed limit violations.

“These infringements also include failure to adhere to road traffic rules and regulations, speed limit violations, driving under influence of alcohol and drugs, seat belt violations as well as using of phones while driving among others.

“Therefore, the choice of the 2025 end-of-year campaign with the theme ‘Taking Responsibility for Your Safety’ was deliberate and well thought out.

“It was carefully chosen to address road traffic infringements by drivers which were largely responsible for the previous road crash records.

“In line with our commitment to achieve the desired outcome of the 2025 end of year campaign, FRSC has deployed personnel and Special Marshals across major highways and crash-prone corridors nationwide,” he said.

The Corps Marshal added that the corps would also be embarking on free-vehicle check exercise to improve vehicle road worthiness, conducting motor park rallies and motorcar carnivals nationwide to raise awareness level of motorists and the general public.

Mohammed, who said that the Federal government’s support had been responsible for the modest achievement of the FRSC over the years, appreciated the government for its advisory oversight.

He called on all and sundry to continue to support the Corps as it strives to create a safer motoring environment for the nation.

Metro

Sowore Mobilises Supporters For #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest

Published

5 hours ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has urged Nigerians to join a nationwide protest demanding the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, despite a court order restricting demonstrations around key government areas in Abuja.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday morning, Sowore called on citizens to take to the streets in peaceful protest.

“Good morning, wherever you may be this morning, do not stop moving. Carry a sign, sing a song, make a statement!” he wrote.

He had earlier shared a message on Sunday night welcoming participants to the protest tagged#FreeNnamdiKanuNow.

“We warmly welcome everyone who has travelled from far and wide to join the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest tomorrow. Your courage, sacrifice, and solidarity speak volumes. Together, we are writing history,” he wrote.

Sowore announced that protesters would converge in front of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, at 7 am, urging them to “come ready, come peaceful, come determined.”

He also shared a Facebook post that read, “We want to put one million people on the streets of Abuja tomorrow for #FreeNnamdiKanuNow — let’s make it happen.”

However, the planned march comes in defiance of an interim injunction issued by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which restrained Sowore and other organisers from protesting in or around sensitive government areas, including the Presidential Villa, National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

Reacting to the reported order on Saturday, Sowore questioned its legitimacy and the perceived double standards of law enforcement.

“Suppose a court order truly exists restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa; it begs the question: why hasn’t the same police force obtained a similar order against those protesting freely for three consecutive days opposing Nnamdi Kanu’s release?” Sowore asked.

“The hypocrisy is glaring. The double standards are undeniable,” he added.

The activist disclosed that his legal team, comprising 115 lawyers, would challenge the alleged court order once it is formally served on Monday.

He maintained that the planned October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest would proceed as a peaceful and lawful march, declaring, “October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct. We march peacefully, lawfully, and powerfully.”

The demonstration also coincides with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests of October 2020, which culminated in the alleged Lekki Toll Gate massacre — a period now remembered for its call for police reform and justice for victims of brutality.

Metro

Police Fire Tear Gas At #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow Protesters In Abuja

Published

6 hours ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

Security operatives on Monday fired tear gas canisters at protesters, including human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who had gathered in Abuja to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The protest, tagged #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow, was planned to take off from the Transcorp Hilton area and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but was disrupted as police officers moved in early, firing multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse participants and passersby.

The operatives, who had cordoned off the hotel and adjoining streets, began firing tear gas even before protesters arrived in large numbers.

A visibly tightened atmosphere was observed across the city on the way this morning.

Soldiers, police, and operatives of the Department of State Services were deployed to key locations, including the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, Unity Fountain, and routes leading to Aso Rock.