By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)
The district head of Miri in Bauchi State, Alhaji Hussaini Abubakar Ghani, has demanded for justice over death of his son, Muhammadu Ghani, who was killed by a vigilante group of the Bauchi State Vigilante and Youth Empowerment Agency on second day of Sallah.
The district head made the appeal when he granted an audience to newsmen at his residence at Tura off Emir's Drive in Bauchi, saying that his son was killed some minutes after he left him by a vigilante group of Umaru Shayi team.
According to the District Head who catigorical about his allegation, he was the target of the killing but when he escaped the plot, the accused had to go for his son. "I'm sure they targeted me. It was me that they wanted to kill, but unfortunately my son was killed after I lift him.
He revealed that the group has attacked his procession for three consective times of which he didn't know what their motive was or their intention against us, until my son fell victim. He further alleged that "They've attack us firstly at Tashan Babeye. Secondly, at Sheikh Dahiru's mosque and thirdly, along the Emir's Drive, towards my house as we're coming back to the house with my procession after paying homage to the Emir. And during the last encounter, someone among the Vigilantee group members shot my son with live ammunition and he died immediately.
He equally accused them of brutalising and beating people unnecessarily. "I' have the video clips with me and I will provide it for you as evidence to prove my allegations", the distric head promised.
"I've filled and forwarded my compliants to the relevant security authority concerned and government officials to inform them and seek justice over the death of my son. I'm appealing on the government to arrest the Vigilantee officials and conduct thorough investigation on the matter with a view to fish out those behind the killing",. the district head stated.
The district head described the incident as very unfortunate because it was a day that Muslim Ummah were celebrating the Sallah following the completion of one month Ramadan and some people have created crisis and confusion which led to the death of many people while others sustained various degrees of injuries. "I call on the government and the security agencies to do something about this dastard act".
All efforts to get reactions from the officials and management of the Agency allegedly responsible for the killing proved abortive, as the admin officer refused to comment on the matter but promised to call back when his boss, the Director General of the Agency who also doubles as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Security to the Bauchi State Governor, Umar Aliyu Shayi, returned from his official engagement at Yankari Game Reserves.
Shayi, when reached directly, also promised to respond to media enquiries on the allegations when he returns from his official trip.
Similarly, the State Police Command has yet to issue any press release as at the time of filling this report.
Recall that the late Muhammadu Ghani, aged 25 years, was reported killed by the Vigilantee group on the second day of Sallah during a traditional culture of "Hawan Bariki" normally paid to the Governor at his residence a day after Sallah. NNL.