On Wednesday, August 21, a Nigerian policeman shot and killed Mal Gimba, a motorcycle rider, while trying to break up a violent clash among youths in the Barikin Sale area of Minna, Niger State.
The shooting occurred when a police team from Morris Police Station arrived at the scene to chase and restore peace to the area.
“Police were dispersing the youth fighting and an officer accidentally shot Mal Gimba in the leg when the boy started throwing stones at the police van,” a family source told SaharaReporters.
As the police pursued the youths, another officer on a motorcycle discharged his weapon, and a stray bullet struck Gimba in the leg. Gimba was then moved to the police vehicle, and the chase continued.
SaharaReporters learned that Gimba, who was severely bleeding, was first taken to a police clinic in Minna before being transferred to a traditionalist’s care.
He sustained a broken bone from the bullet wound and later died from blood loss.
The source also said that since the death of Gimba, a police team only visited his family once to sympathise with them.
Gimba, who left behind a wife and three children, was also an Islamic teacher.
“Gimba lost a significant amount of blood before he sadly died,” the family source reported.
On Thursday, Niger State Police PPRO Wasiu Abiodun told SaharaReporters he needed more time to confirm the incident, but as of this report’s filing, he has not provided an update or issued a statement despite his earlier promise to do so.
