Metro

How Drunk Policeman Killed My Son, Widow Cries Out

Published

3 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

Man On Hard Drugs Dies After Jumping Into Well

Published

21 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

The Kwara State Fire Service on Saturday recovered the lifeless body of a 43-year-old man who jumped into a well in the Edun area of Ilorin West Local Government Area, following Sallah celebrations.

The deceased, identified simply as Kareem, was said to be under the influence of a hard drug, Synthetic Cannabinoids locally known as ‘Colorado’.

Kareem jumped into the well at Ile Alapo, Edun, shortly after returning from the Eid-el-Kabir prayers on Friday.

In a statement issued on Saturday, by Head of Media and Publicity for the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the recovery of the body.

According to the statement, “The distress call was received by the Fire Service control room at about 10:29 hours, reporting that a man had fallen into a well,” adding that firefighters were swiftly deployed to the scene, where they successfully retrieved the body.

“The victim, identified as Kazeem, reportedly jumped into the well under the influence of a hard substance known as Colo (Colorado) shortly after returning from Eid prayers.

“The body was handed over to Inspector Babatunde Amos of the C Division Police Station, Ilorin.

“The Ministry awaits formal identification and claim of the body by the victim’s family.”

Efforts to contact the spokesperson of Kwara Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi was proved abortive unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages sent to her WhatsApp number as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Falade Olumuyiwa, expressed sadness over the tragic incident.

He seized the moment to urge residents of the state to steer clear of drug abuse, warning that such habits often lead to devastating consequences.

Metro

NAF Airstrikes Kill Terrorists, Destroy Hideouts In Borno

Published

21 hours ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force said it has carried out precision airstrikes on key Boko Haram strongholds in Borno State, neutralising several terrorists.

The service also said the airstrikes crippled terrorists logistics infrastructure ahead of the Eid celebrations.

According to a statement on Saturday, by the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the airstrikes were conducted under Operation HADIN KAI on June 5 and 6, targeting terrorist enclaves in Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia, located in the Southern Tumbuns region of the state.

The strikes, which he said followed credible intelligence reports, were aimed at structures used by the insurgents for storage and operational coordination.

He noted that Battle Damage Assessments confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of key logistics structures.

Ejodame said, “In a series of precision airstrikes conducted on 5 and 6 June 2025, the Nigerian Air Force, under Operation HADIN KAI, decimated key Boko Haram hideouts at Tumbumma Baba and Chiralia in the Southern Tumbuns, Borno State.

“Acting on credible intelligence, NAF aircraft targeted terrorist structures reportedly used for storage and coordination, delivering direct hits and crippling planned attacks aimed at disrupting Eid celebrations.

“Battle Damage Assessments confirmed the neutralisation of several terrorists and the destruction of key logistics structures. This pre-emptive action underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to safeguarding civilian lives and supporting national security objectives.”

Metro

My Wife Poisoned My Food, Attempted To Kill Me ‘Cos I Planned To Marry Another Wife —Husband

Published

1 day ago

June 7, 2025

Editor

Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the wedlock between a couple, Odion and Elohe, on the account of lack of care, constant violence and irreconcilable differences.

Odion stated that Elohe failed in her responsibility towards him.

He explained that his wife showed him no care and was indifferent to his well-being.

The plaintiff said that the defendant was in the habit of abandoning the home for months and failing to give any reasonable explanation on her return.

According to the plaintiff, the defendant became hostile and denied him sex after a revelation in the church that he would take a second wife.

Odion further stated that Elohe attempted to poison him.

He told the court he was no longer interested in their relationship and thus prayed for divorce.

The plaintiff also requested an order restraining the defendant from threatening or interfering with his private life.

Elohe denied all the allegations brought against her.

She also refused that their marriage be dissolved.

Elohe stated that it was Odion who stopped having sex with her.

She added that she moved out of her matrimonial home after he made her life miserable.

Odion stated, “My marriage to my wife has brought me no joy. I regret marrying her.

“My wife and I met in Lagos.

“She moved in with me after we dated for a while.

“We did not hold a marriage ceremony, and I did not pay her bride price.

“She started misbehaving after we had our first child.

“My wife would leave home for weeks without my consent and would never bother about how I fared.

“She would return home whenever it pleased her and give explanations that were unreasonable.

“Things got worse between my wife and I after there was a revelation that I was going to take a second wife.

“She started denying me sex and also rained curses on me on daily basis.

“My lord, my wife wishes me dead.

“She deserted me when I took ill and had to go through a surgical operation.

“She was away for a year and two months.

“My wife went as far as telling people that I was dead.

“Elohe did the worst when she attempted to poison me.

“I had stomach ache after I ate the food she prepared and laced with poison.

“My lord, I no longer wish to stay in marriage with my wife.

“I, therefore, pray this honourable court to put an end to our relationship.

“I further request an order restricting her from threatening and interfering with my private life.” Elohe responded, “I do not agree to divorce.

“I have laboured to raise our children. He can not throw me out now when time is ripe to enjoy the fruit of my labour.

“My husband lied that I denied him s3x. He was the one who stopped having sex with me.”

We always had misunderstandings, but we never fought.

He later moved out of the house.”

Giving judgment, the court president, Mrs O.E. Owoseni, stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage held between the duo and no bride price was paid. According to her, both were cohabiting.

Owoseni, however, ordered both parties to go their separate ways since the plaintiff was no longer interested in their marriage.
(Tribune)