Bauchi police command investigates murder of 67-year-old man by ex-Commissioner of Information
Story from Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi
Bauchi State Police Command has commenced a discreet investigation over the alleged murder of one Adamu Babanta, a 67-year-old retired civil servant, and resident of the Yelwa Labura area of the Bauchi metropolis by his close friend and a former Commissioner of Information in the state, Mohammed Damina.
The incident was said to have sparked a violent protest by youths in the area.
Youths had stormed the busy Bauchi – Tafawa Balewa highway in front of the College of Agriculture as early as 7 am on Monday and blocked the road on both sides thereby stopping the free flow of traffic and forcing many road users to turn back and seek the alternate road to and from Yelwa and Bauchi.
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On investigations, it was revealed that on Sunday, 30th of October at about 5.30 pm, a man, 67-years-old Adamu Babanta was allegedly killed by his friend and neighbour, Mohammed Damina, 68, who also holds the traditional title of “Galadiman Dass” in Dass Emirate Council of Bauchi, with his car.
A close relative of the late Adamu Babanta who did not disclose his name narrated:
“Galadiman Dass and my late brother were friends and neighbours. It was alleged that Galadiman attempted to have sexual relations with the 18-year-old Khadijat, SS 2 daughter of his late friend. He had been making advances at her and sending recharge cards to her.
“The girl reported to her mother who then told the father but he did not believe the story. Then on Sunday, he called the girl and sent her a message that she should meet him at the Total filling station by 5 pm so that they can go out.”
According to him, “The girl informed her father who then asked her to go as planned and that he will follow behind to ascertain the situation. As expected, Galadima was waiting at the point while the father was watching as the girl arrived.
“Galadima asked her to enter the car after he had opened the door but at that point, the father came out and confronted his friend, expressing anger. Galadima then tried to run away but there was a struggle between them which led to pushing the late Adamu out of the car, he hit his head on the pavement of the road, and the back tyre broke his legs and bones. He died on the way to the hospital,” he added.
Bauchi State Police Command who confirmed the incident said combined security operatives were drafted to the place to maintain peace and order.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammed Ahmed Wakil, who confirmed the incident while briefing reporters, said “A case of fatal motor accident was transferred from the Yelwa Division directly to the MTD for a discreet investigation; it was a case of culpable homicide.
According to him, “One Khadijah Adamu Babanta, was enticed by one man, Mohammed Damina, Galadiman Dass, a 68-year-old resident of Yelwa. When Galadiman enticed her, she told her father about it, and that the said man was waiting for her at the Total filling station in the area.
“Then her father followed her behind to the place and on reaching there, he confronted Galadiman through the passenger’s side of his car and as they were discussing, Galadiman zoomed off the vehicle while the deceased was still hanging on to the car door to a point he fell and was rushed to ATBUTH for medical attention but was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
“On receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Umar Sanda, directed all Tactical Commanders led by the Area Commander, Metro and other DPOs to the scene.”
Wakil added that “Early Monday morning, some miscreants came into the streets protesting, thinking that the suspect had been released from Police detention, of which the suspect was not released; he is still in police detention at the GRA Police Division.”
He said that in a case of a fatal accident where there is death, as enshrined in the law, any person engaged in a fatal accident should be detained for 24 hours pending the outcome of the medical report about the victim to know if he is alive then, the suspect would be released on bail but if the person dies, the suspect will not be released on bail.
Wakil added that the police acted professionally by detaining the suspect while the Commissioner of Police directed that the case should be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Bureau (SCIB) for further discreet investigation while a post-mortem examination will be conducted on the deceased and the results will be made public.
