When members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) allegedly shot and killed a woman while trying to apprehend criminals, there was mayhem in Gusau, the capital of the state of Zamfara.

Tensions in the neighbourhood have escalated as a result of the terrible incident that happened on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as Muslims gathering to observe Eid prayer have caused outrage and unrest among the locals.

Witnesses described how NSCDC officers opened fire randomly, killing an innocent woman, while chasing after alleged criminals carrying potentially lethal weapons.

In response to the shooting, an angry mob gathered and vented their frustration by setting ablaze an NSCDC vehicle in protest of the incident. 

The spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, who confirmed the incident to Channels Television, said two NSCDC personnel linked with the shooting are currently in custody of the police. 

Abubakar said the command is still investigating the cause of the incident.

“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 investing the incident,” he said. 

When contacted, the spokesperson of the NSCDC in Zamfara State, Ikor Oche, denied the allegation that the men of the Civil Defence shot the victim.

He said the personnel of the Corps were at their stationed post, observing the movements of the Muslims faithful who were out to observe the Eid prayer when they heard the gunshot.

According to him, they mobilized to the scene where they met a woman fatally injured.

“Our men were stationed at the central roundabout, close to UBA Bank, they heard a gunshot from the other side around Zenith Bank. 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,” he said.

Oche said the state command of NSCDC has also launched an investigation to unravel the cause of the incident.

Meanwhile, men of the Nigerian Police have dispersed the mob who were vandalizing the already burnt vehicle of the Civil Defence and normalcy has been returned in the area. 

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