Tension Rises in Zamfara as Security Incident Mars Eid Celebrations.
Zamfara State was rocked by tension on Wednesday following a disturbing incident during Eid prayers, where a worshipper was allegedly shot by a security operative.
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The individual, reportedly a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was said to have discharged their firearm while in pursuit of suspected criminals, inadvertently hitting the unidentified worshipper.
The swift escalation of the situation saw irate youths in the vicinity immediately retaliate against the security operative. The incident, occurring amidst the solemnity of Eid prayers in Gusau, the state capital, sparked outrage and heightened tensions within the community.
In an expression of collective anguish and frustration, local residents vented their dismay by setting ablaze an NSCDC vehicle in the area. The gravity of the situation prompted a response from the Nigerian Police in Zamfara State, with ASP Yazid Abubakar confirming the incident. Abubakar disclosed that two NSCDC personnel involved had been apprehended, emphasizing that the police were diligently investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
In a telephone interview, Abubakar stated, “We have two of them in our custody as we speak now, they are the ones that shot the gun, though the command is still investigating the incident.” However, spokesperson Ikor Oche of the NSCDC in Zamfara refuted the allegations, asserting that their personnel were stationed nearby, monitoring the movements of worshippers attending Eid prayers.
Our men were stationed at the central roundabout, close to UBA Bank, they heard a gunshot from the other side around Zenith Bank.
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They moved to the area and found a woman with gunshot injury. Because they were the ones close to the scene, mob descended on them. They had to run for their safety and abandoned their Hilux vehicle. The vehicle was set ablaze by the mob and about seven of our men were injured. They did not shoot or kill anybody,” Oche clarified.
As investigations unfold and tensions simmer, the incident casts a shadow over what should have been a joyous occasion, underscoring the need for swift resolution and restoration of calm in Zamfara State.
