Reprisal Attack Claims 1 Life, 6 Injured In Bauchi Community

One person has been killed and several others injured following a violent clash between youths of Buskuwa and Mabani communities in Gamawa local government area of Bauchi state.

The Bauchi State Police Command said it has commenced an investigation into the incident and arrested one suspect in connection with the clash.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the C mmommand’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said police received a report on Wednesday, from a 55-year-old resident of Buskuwa village. He said the incident followed an alleged attack on three youths from Mabani who were travelling to Buskuwa on Monday.

According to him, the three victims, identified as Babangida Musa, a 20-year-old; Usman Abdu, 20-year-old; and Ya’u Muhammad, a 18-year-old, were allegedly attacked by a group of unidentified youths suspected to be from Buskuwa.

He said the victims were beaten with sticks and sustained various degrees of injuries.

Nafiu added that later that night, one Jumba Adamu allegedly mobilised youths from Mabani on a reprisal mission to Buskuwa, where they attacked residents with sticks.

“As a result, some residents were assaulted. Unfortunately, one of the victims, Muhammadu Dare, died on the spot, while others sustained various degrees of injuries,” he said.

The police spokesperson said that upon receiving the report, operatives of the Gamawa Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with hunters and vigilante groups, promptly mobilised to the scene.

He said the injured victims and the corpse were evacuated to the General Hospital, Gamawa, for medical attention and postmortem examination, adding that the attending medical doctor confirmed Muhammadu Dare dead.

Nafiu disclosed that three injured victims were admitted to the hospital and are currently receiving treatment, while three others were treated and discharged.

He said one suspect had been arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other persons involved.

“Preliminary investigation has commenced and, upon conclusion, the case file will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and prosecution,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the violence and directed area commanders and divisional police officers to intensify conflict-resolution strategies and intelligence-driven patrols to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

The commissioner also urged community leaders and residents of Buskuwa and Mabani to embrace peace and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

He warned that anyone found culpable would face the full wrath of the law, stressing that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property across the state.