Hannatu Bello, the sister of Abdullahi Bello, who was reportedly k!lled near the Rantiya community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, has spoken about the tragic incident.
In an interview with Daily Trust, Hannatu said she received a call from a police officer after her brother left home on Sunday. According to her, the officer informed her that Abdullahi had been found after allegedly being b3aten by unknown persons.
She explained that her brother had physical features that made some people assume he was Fulani, although he was not. Describing the incident as inhumane, she called for justice.
“I was called through my brother’s phone number and told that he was seen lying on the ground. He had been taken to the hospital in Dadin Kowa,” she narrated.
“I asked the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) handling the case if he was okay, but he told me to come to the hospital in Dadin Kowa. I took our mother and we went together. We met him unconscious.
“I asked the IPO about what happened to my brother. He said they were on patrol around 3:00 a.m. on Monday, when vigilantes reported that he had been b3aten by some people who mistook him for Fulani.
“From what we saw on his body, he was m@cheted and straπgled, with bl00d coming from his mouth. The IPO asked me if the deceased was Fulani. I said no. He was not Fulani. He was my blood brother and we are not Fulani,” she said.
The family is urging the Plateau State Police Command to thoroughly investigate the case and bring those responsible to justice. They also pointed out that the deceased’s phone remains in police custody and believe it could assist investigators.
“Now that his phone is with the police, they should track his calls and find the last person who called him before the incident. We are calling on the government to ensure justice for the deceased. We are peaceful people and we want justice. We are confident that the state government will do justice for the victim,” she added.