Hundreds of young people have taken to the streets of Gashu’a, the headquarters of the Bade local government area in Yobe State, to protest the alleged killing of a young truck driver by security forces.
When the deceased went to a filling station to refuel his truck in the late hours of Friday at Garin Alkali, the incident that led to his death occurred.
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Although it is unclear what prompted security operatives to shoot the young man, the incident sparked a riot in the early hours of Saturday, with hundreds of young people taking to the streets of Gashu’a town to riot.
To express their anger and frustration, the youths have blocked entrances and exits and are burning tires.
The Yobe State Police Command has remained silent about the incident as of the time of filing this report, and the Command’s PPRO could not be reached for comment.
However, Yobe State Governor and Chairman of the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni, has urged Gashu’a youths to remain calm.
In a statement issued through his spokesperson, Mamman Mohammed, the Governor has already ordered an immediate investigation into the matter in order to take appropriate action.
“Especially now that we are recording progress in sustainable peace across the state,” Buni said of the incident.
He stated that the government and security forces would not tolerate any act of recklessness that could jeopardize the hard-won peace.
“As a result, I assure you that the government will conduct a thorough investigation and take decisive action.”
“I also appeal to our good people in Bade local government area, as well as the rest of the state, to remain calm and law abiding.”
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“Anything that would jeopardize our peace should be avoided.” Governor Buni advised, “Be good Muslims and accept it as Allah’s will, and avoid bonfires on the roads.”
“May Allah (SWT) pardon the deceased’s transgressions, grant him Al Jannatul Firdaus, and grant his family the strength to bear the loss,” Buni prayed.