A tr@gic incident unfolded at the Terminus Market in Jos as a police officer attached to the enforcement team of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board was reported dead after being shot during a confrontation. The event took place on Wednesday morning in Jos North Local Government Area, where authorities have been attempting to eliminate street trading in recent weeks.
Eyewitnesses at the market provided varying accounts of the incident, with some attributing the shooting to tension and confusion during the enforcement activities. According to Amina Mohammed, a trader at the market, the situation escalated when security forces attempted to enforce laws against street hawking, leading to resistance from some traders. In the chaos that ensued, a Mobile Police Officer inadvertently shot his colleague, causing panic among the crowd.
Haruna, another trader present at the scene, pointed fingers at hoodlums who he claimed were disrupting the enforcement efforts and endangering the lives of officers. He described how the security agents attempted to disperse non-compliant traders, resulting in a fatal gunshot that struck the police officer.
Plateau State Police Command Spokesperson, Alabo Alfred, confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation was underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The police are actively looking into the matter in collaboration with the Jos Metropolitan Development Board.
The tragic death of the police officer serves as a grim reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty, as they work tirelessly to maintain peace and order in communities.
