By Umar Samaru Last week, police officers stationed at Danco Fuelling Station on the Abeokuta-Lagos route allegedly attempted to kill Dahi...
By Umar Samaru
Last week, police officers stationed at Danco Fuelling Station on the Abeokuta-Lagos route allegedly attempted to kill Dahiru Ahmad, a 35-year-old trailer driver employed by Bilga Transport Company in Port Harcourt.
In an interview with our correspondent and other journalists, Dahiru recounted his ordeal. He explained that his regular route between Port Harcourt and Lagos often requires him to stop at Danco fuelling station for refuelling and rest. On the day of the incident, he stopped at the station and observed police officers quarrelling with a group of youths, whom they soon dispersed.
According to Dahiru, locals advised him to move his vehicle away from the area for his safety. As he approached the front of his vehicle to open the door, a police officer suddenly struck him on the shoulder with a baton without explanation. Shortly after, other officers allegedly joined in, beating him with their firearms and targeting his head until he could no longer move. The officers reportedly left the scene, assuming he was dead.
Nearby Hausa residents rushed to Dahiru’s aid, taking him to the Emir of Hausa in the area for further support and to notify his employers of the incident and his condition.
Dahiru claimed he had no prior conflict with the officers and believes that his identity as a northern Muslim may have played a role in the attack. "What offense have northerners committed against southern Nigerians?" he questioned, calling for greater understanding and respect among all groups.
One of Dahiru’s relatives, Malam Muhammad Abba, condemned the attack and urged police authorities to investigate. He argued that ethnic and religious prejudice should not influence the conduct of security personnel and called on trailer driver associations to address the issue to protect their members' safety.
Abba stressed the urgency of taking action to address the disrespect and challenges faced by Hausa individuals in the South, stating, "The level of disrespect for Hausa people in the South is unbearable." He also thanked friends and supporters who assisted Dahiru and appealed to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to conduct a fair investigation.
As of this report, Dahiru is recovering in his hometown, Zaria.
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