Police confirm death of driver shot to death by officer in Taraba

Taraba State Police Command has arrested an officer, Sgt Haruna Idi, who shot one Oliver Ezra Barawani to death last Friday at a checkpoint in Kpanti Napo, near Jalingo, the state capital.

Barawani, who was said to be the driver to Lau Local Government Area Chairman, Dr Daniel Zading, was subsequently rushed to the Federal Medical Centre Jalingo where he died on Tuesday morning.

The State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Sokoya, who confirmed the incident to journalists in his office on Tuesday, said that the Taraba State University graduate had confronted the officer at a check point and some misunderstanding ensued leading to the shootout.

CP Sokoya said that the officer has since been arrested and would soon be charged to court for prosecution and necessary disciplinary action.

He said that the Force has extant laws that guide the conduct of officers and assured that the case would be thoroughly investigated and if found guilty, the officer in question will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“What triggered the incident was the issue of impatience that caused the driver of the Lau local government area Chairman Mr Oliver Ezra to come down from his vehicle to confront the officer at the checkpoint when there was another oncoming vehicle,” the CP stated.

“In the process, there was some misunderstanding and the driver was shot and subsequently rushed to the Federal Medical Centre Jalingo where he was responding to treatment until this morning when he passed on.

“We are relating with the family and have sent out condolences and will be involved in all the process. We have deployed our men to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.

“Nigeria Police Force has an extant status that guides our actions and this incident will be subjected to it. An investigation has already commenced and once it is completed, the law will be allowed to take its course.” Sokoya added.

Meanwhile, families and friends on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest to Taraba State Government House Jalingo demanding Justice over the killing of Oliver.

Birus Illia, leader of the family protesters, lamented the police action against their brother, as it was provoking and unprofessional. He called on Governor Darius Ishaku and the police IGP to ensure Justice in the matter.

Hon Abubakar Bawa, SA political to governor Ishaku while responding on behalf of the state government, assured the family of government necessary steps to ensure justice.