Residents set suspected kidnapper ablaze as stray bullet kills trader in Kaduna

Pandemonium broke out in Kawo metropolis of Kaduna State on Monday when residents of the area set suspected kidnapper ablaze and protested over the killing of a soap seller by a stray bullet fired by an unidentified policeman who had come to maintain peace.

Findings started in the area when residents of the community were tipped off that some suspected kidnappers were about to abduct some people in Sabon Kawo and immediately the angry mob blocked ways leading in and out of the area.

An eyewitness told Tribune Online that the residents chased down the fleeing suspects and apprehended two among them, where one was eventually set ablaze with tyres put around his neck.

It was gathered that the Police upon receiving information that there was chaos in the area immediately came to disperse the mob. And in an attempt to rescue the other suspect, they allegedly shot sporadically into the crowd and allegedly killed one person, leaving several others injured.

The protesters who were saying (Bazaamu Yarda Ba) meaning “we won’t take this from the police” were seen burning tyres, placing logs of wood on the highway leading from Kaduna to Zaria and Birnin-Gwari to prevent human and vehicular movements.

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For over three hours, it was gathered that the mob insisted that the other kidnapper in police custody be released to them, while also demanding justice for the soap seller killed.

A resident, Sadi Dauda in an interview said “I sighted large crowd from afar and Immediately rushed down. We were told that some kidnappers numbering about three are operating in Sabon Kawo and immediately we blocked the roads.

“They chased down the kidnappers and killed one out of the apprehended, while the other one fled the scene. Immediately police got to the scene, they started shooting sporadically to scare away people and they shot an innocent person dead. They shot four people in the process one is dead and the remaining three are in Kawo General Hospital.

“Now the residents are protesting that the kidnapper in their custody be released so that they can do instant justice. They said they won’t leave unless he is released.”

The state’s Police image maker DSP Yakubu Sabo could not be reached for confirmation.