An unidentified gunman, suspected to be a police officer, attacked and shot a former Chairman of Ningi LGA in Bauchi State, Alhaji Danlami Alhassan, on Sunday. The incident reportedly occurred around 9:30 p.m. under the flyover bridge construction in the Wunti area of the city, where the gunman shot Alhassan in the head.
According to reports, Alhassan was accosted by the gunman near Wunti Gate while driving his Peugeot 405 towards the city centre. For no apparent reason, the man, who was not in uniform, crossed the road on a motorcycle and demanded that Alhassan stop. When he refused, the suspect shot at him through the front passenger window, shattering the glass and damaging the car.
Narrating his ordeal, Alhassan said: “On Sunday evening at about 9 p.m., I left my house to go to Wunti Market to buy suya from my friend. When I got to Wunti Gate, a man on a motorcycle waved at me. At first, I didn’t realise he was signalling me, so I drove on. When I noticed he was chasing me, I slowed down and saw him gesturing for me to stop.” “I refused to stop because I didn’t know who he was or why he wanted me to stop. When I reached a more populated area, I stopped. He then crossed my car, opened the door, and tried to confront me,” he added. “Before I could react, he shot at me from the other side, and I felt something hit my head as blood gushed out. The interior of the car caught fire, but people nearby quickly intervened and extinguished it.”
Alhassan continued: “The people recognised me and rushed to help. The man fled on his motorcycle to avoid being lynched, as everyone assumed he was an armed robber. However, in his haste, a bag fell off his motorcycle, which was taken to the GRA Police Station.” The bag, according to Alhassan, contained items that identified the suspect as a police officer. “It was later discovered that the projectile was a canister of teargas, which caused the injury to my head,” he said. “I was rushed to the Teaching Hospital, treated, and discharged after being stabilised. My car is currently at the police station. While the exterior remains intact, the interior is completely burnt.”
At the police station, officers found a teargas canister, cold-weather gear, an ID card, and other items in the suspect’s bag. Alhassan said, “The officers assured me that the man would be identified and brought to justice based on the evidence.”
Alhassan is calling on police authorities to ensure a thorough investigation. “I don’t know why I was attacked. I’m demanding justice and want the command to hold the culprit accountable,” he said. When contacted, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Wakili, stated that he was unaware of the incident at the time but promised to provide details once available
