A yet-to-be-identified allegedly intoxicated police officer has reportedly shot and killed a man identified as Sani Khalid in the Anguwan-Kaje area of Minna, the Niger state capital.
Residents told Daily Trust that the victim, a businessman and footballer, was sleeping outside his compound with a tea seller due to the heat when a team of policemen emerged from a beer parlor and one of the officers allegedly opened fire.
Sources said other individuals present narrowly escaped after the officer reportedly fired a second shot.
A resident, who requested anonymity, told our correspondent that, “Sani was killed by police officers last night under disturbing circumstances. He was sleeping outside when the police shot him without any provocation or offence.”
He added, “While Sani was resting alongside a tea seller, the police fired the second shot at the direction of the tea seller, but he escaped unhurt.”
Another resident said, “After the police officer had left, people returned to the scene of the incident to check on Sani, but he was already dead. It was later revealed that the police officers involved were intoxicated at the time. Evidence linking them to the crime was found, including a bullet and an empty bottle of Gulder.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident.
He stated the Commissioner of Police in the state, Shawulu Ebenezer Dammam, had already directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Maitumbi to identify the officer responsible for the shooting.
“The police command received the complaint of the alleged shooting this morning (yesterday). It was reported to have occurred at about 3 am on March 10, 2025, in the Anguwan-Kaje area of Maitumbi, Minna.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed the DPO of Maitumbi to investigate and identify the officers allegedly responsible for this heinous act for further necessary action. Further developments and actions taken will be made known to the public in due course.”
