Driving against traffic, without proper identification numbers and proper police uniforms, some police officers in a white-colored Hilux, lacking registration, caused commotion and havoc at Chida Hotel junction in Jabi yesterday while chasing a blue Lexus jeep. In the process, they collided with the red-colored jeep belonging to the chairman of Vision FM radio.
The red jeep was being driven by the son of the chairman, Abba Farouk Musa, along with one other occupant. The police operatives fired shots downward, causing panic in the area.
However, they hastily deceived Abbas by instructing him to follow them to the office after damaging his father’s jeep in their desperate attempt to apprehend the fleeing blue jeep, which they eventually caught and left. Unfortunately, the red jeep could not move after the police Hilux collided with it, making it difficult for Abbas to follow them immediately.
All attempts to trace the police Hilux failed, as three nearby divisions denied having the white Hilux as their operational vehicle.
A senior police officer, contacted by the Vision FM chairman at the CP’s office, promised to investigate and respond to the chairman, but there has been no response to date.
This incident highlights the dangers of some policemen driving unmarked patrol vehicles. A security analyst and the security director of the Mike Okiro-founded Salute Nigeria Initiative, Salihu Dantata Mahmud, condemned the act and called for an investigation into the incident.
Salihu, who made frantic efforts to locate the white Hilux by visiting Mabushi, Lifecamp, and Utako divisions, appeals to the IGP, AIG Zone 7, and the FCT CP to investigate the incident, especially the unwarranted shooting and damage to the jeep belonging to the esteemed broadcaster, erudite fellow, and international journalist Alhaji Farouk Farouk.
Describing it as barbaric and callous, Salihu added that stray bullets could have hit unsuspecting civilians, including the occupants of the red jeep. Police excesses must be curtailed, as they are capable of tarnishing the image of the entire force, Salihu concluded.
