Metro

How Drunk Policeman Killed My Son, Widow Cries Out

Published

1 year 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

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

16 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.