In a deeply unfortunate incident, a police officer attached to the enforcement team of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board lost his life after being shot in the market on Wednesday. The incident occurred at the Terminus Market in Jos North Local Government Area, where security agents and task force officials had been working to clear the area of street trading in recent weeks.
According to various traders at the market, who shared their accounts there are conflicting versions of events leading up to the tragic incident. Amina Mohammed, one of the traders, stated, “There was tension and confusion at the Terminus Market and Ahmadu Bello Way behind Zenith Bank in Jos North this morning at about 11:30 am on Wednesday. From what I gathered, some of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board task force officials and security agencies came this morning to carry out enforcement of the state law banning street hawking. You know they have been facing resistance from some of the traders. So, in an attempt to maintain law and order, a Mobile Police officer fired a shot, and the stray bullet hit his colleague on duty, creating panic in the process. I learned that although the victim was taken to the hospital, he later died.”
Another trader, Haruna, attributed the death of the police officer to the hoodlums who had refused to vacate the area despite the enforcement efforts. He explained, “Many of the hoodlums were lurking around this morning. And suddenly, we heard a gunshot when the security agents were trying to disperse some traders who had started displaying their wares on the roadside against the instruction of the task force officials. Unfortunately, the bullet hit one of the policemen who I learned later died after he was rushed to the hospital.”
The Plateau State Police Command’s spokesperson, Alabo Alfred, confirmed that an investigation into the incident has commenced. He stated, “Yes, we are aware of the incident at the Terminus Market. Right now, we are in the office of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board over the matter. So, we are investigating it.”
This tragic event has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the safety of law enforcement officers and the need for effective measures to address street trading. It is crucial for authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and take appropriate actions to prevent such incidents in the future. The loss of a dedicated police officer highlights the challenges faced by those tasked with maintaining law and order in our communities.
As the investigation unfolds, it is essential for all stakeholders, including the government, law enforcement agencies, and traders, to come together and find a sustainable solution to the issue of street trading. Balancing the needs of the traders with the enforcement of regulations is a delicate task that requires careful planning, dialogue, and collaboration.
