Angry residents have pulled down security barricades and vandalised the Security Tower stationed at the Dutse Uku area of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, over the death tricycle rider, who was killed during an altercation between him and some security agents.
It was gathered that the said tricycle operator was allegedly seen at about 9 pm on Sunday plying the road after the ban on the operation of tricycles from 6 pm in the Jos and Bukuru metropolis.
The security agents were said to had stopped him for questioning before the matter escalated, leading to his demise.
According to Vanguard, sources, who declined to be named, said the deceased defied the security order and engaged in an open confrontation before he was reportedly fired.
One of the sources said: “The incident occurred at Dutse Uku, I cannot say if it was vigilante or uniformed men that killed the tricycle rider but the incident happened at about 9:00 pm. Hoodlums at Rikkos went on the rampage, destroying Dutse Uku checkpoint and the Lalong Security Tower at Dutse Uku was vandalised.”
A second source added: “From what we gathered, the security opened fire on the man but we are yet to confirm his identity. There is no arrest yet because it was a mob that vandalised the facility. We are scared and pray that let another crisis not break out and innocent people are made to pay for what they know nothing about.”
However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, said: “We are aware of the situation. Investigation is ongoing and the right information would be made available.”
Alabo appealed to citizens to remain calm and maintain peace.