Tension gripped Zamfara State on Wednesday as a worshipper was accidentally killed by a security operative in pursuit of hoodlums. The operative, purportedly from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), faced immediate backlash from enraged youths,Daily Trust reports.
The tragic event occurred during Eid prayers in Gusau, the state capital, triggering widespread outrage and exacerbating tensions in the vicinity. According to Channels TV, local residents, overwhelmed by grief and fury, vented their frustration by setting an NSCDC vehicle ablaze.
Confirming the incident, ASP Yazid Abubakar, spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police, disclosed that two NSCDC personnel implicated in the incident had been apprehended. He assured that a comprehensive investigation was underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
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However, NSCDC spokesperson in Zamfara, Ikor Oche, refuted allegations that their personnel were responsible for the fatal shooting. Oche maintained that the NSCDC officers were stationed to monitor the movements of Eid worshippers when they heard the gunshot. Subsequently, they became targets of mob violence, necessitating their retreat for safety, leaving their vehicle behind. Oche clarified that the NSCDC was also conducting an investigation to uncover the truth behind the incident.
