In Bukuru town, Jos South local government area of Plateau State, chaos erupted on Monday following a tragic incident involving a combined security task force. The task force, composed of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Police, and Operation Rainbow, was enforcing a ban on roadside trading when violence broke out.
Around 2:00 PM, security personnel allegedly confronted traders, resulting in the shooting of three young men. One was killed and two others were injured. This act of violence ignited a firestorm of anger among the local youths.
In a dramatic display of rage and grief, the youths took to the streets, blocking roads and setting fires. Tyres burned fiercely, sending thick, black smoke into the air, and the sound of shouting filled the town, creating a scene of panic and disorder. The unrest led to the destruction of more than five vehicles as the furious crowd demanded justice.
Bello Muhammad, the youth leader of Bukuru Community, spoke to our correspondent, confirming the tragic events. He recounted how the security forces had suddenly descended on the traders, who were merely going about their daily activities. His voice was heavy with sorrow and anger as he described the chaos that ensued.
“My son, Muhammad Nasiru, was not trading on the road when they shot him,” he lamented. Muhammad’s father explained how his son and others were selling phones when the security operatives began destroying their display setups. “I received a call informing me that my son and others had been shot. By the time I arrived, Nasiru was already dead.”
Victoria Ibiama
