From Saka Bolaji, Minna
It was a black Sunday in Allawa town, Niger state as a police Inspector and a Sergeant were killed in a disturbance that broke out between men of the vigilante and the police in the area.
Inspector Alfa Idris and Sergeant Joseph Peter were killed when they went to the town to facilitate the arrest of some suspects named in connection with those “picked up from the town’s mosque almost two weeks ago” by men of the vigilante in the town.
Investigation revealed that men of the vigilante in the town believed to be members of “a notorious gang” headed by one Lawal Kwali declared wanted by both the Niger and Kaduna state police commands had kidnapped seven people from the mosque and since they disappeared there had been no trace of their whereabouts.
It was learnt that two suspects arrested in connection with the kidnap of the seven people gave useful information to the police which led to late Idris an- Peter being put at the head of the five man team despatched to arrest the suspects.
In the course of making the arrests, it was learnt that men of the vigilante attacked the team resulting in the death of first, Sergeant Joseph Peter while injured Inspector Alfa Idris was rushed to Kagara hospital for treatment.
Investigation further revealed that some military men believed to be from “special force” stormed Kagara hospital and arrested five policemen, leaving Inspector Alfa Idris to bleed to death because the hospital personnel also took to their heels.
When contacted Police Public Relations Officer DSP Bala Elkana confirmed the story and said the Nigerian Army authorities in Minna released the arrested police men after being informed about the incident.
Elkana said chairman of the Allawa town vigilante believed to be the brain behind the whole crisis and some of his members would be invited for questioning by the police.
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