A police officer assigned to the Hotoro Division in Kano has been killed during a violent confrontation between rival thugs, occurring just weeks before his planned retirement. The officer, identified as Sani S.O., was reportedly shot with a dane gun while attempting to disperse the fighting groups, according to sources familiar with the incident.
Details of the Incident
The officer was deployed alongside colleagues to break up a clash between rival thugs in the Hotoro area. During the operation, one of the thugs allegedly used a dane gun to shoot the officer. He was immediately rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. A source who spoke to Daily Trust confirmed the sequence of events, stating that the officer was unaware that some of the thugs were armed with the weapon.
Community Mourns a Dedicated Officer
The late officer served for over three decades and was highly respected within his community. He was described as a good person who made significant contributions to society, particularly in his immediate environment. His death, coming just weeks before retirement, has left his family and colleagues in deep shock. Efforts to obtain an official statement from the police were unsuccessful, as the state police spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, did not respond to calls or messages at the time of reporting.
Rising Thuggery in Kano Ahead of Elections
Kano has recently experienced a surge in thuggery-related clashes across various areas, including Fagge, Abattoir Market, Koki, Kurnar Asabe, Hotoro, and Gyadi-Gyadi. The violence has spread to neighborhoods that were previously less affected by such unrest. This troubling trend comes as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, raising serious concerns about security and public safety in the state. The incident underscores the urgent need for stronger community and security measures to address the growing challenge of thuggery.
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In a separate case, a police officer, Sergeant Ruya Auta, was sentenced to death by hanging or lethal injection for the murder of Rinji Bala, a 300-level student at the University of Jos. The incident occurred on May 12, 2020, when Sergeant Auta shot Bala dead after the student was taken into custody near the Hwolshe area of Jos during the COVID-19 lockdown. The Chief Justice of Plateau State, Justice David Mann, delivered the ruling at State High Court 1 in Jos on December 9, 2025, following a detailed review of evidence and witness testimonies.
