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• Tea seller lost to confrontation in Adamawa
From Billy Abel, Yola
FResidents of Banga, Nassarawo Borehole, Jimeta, Yola North Local Government, Adamawa State, are overwhelmed by shock and disbelief after a simple cigarette dispute led to the death of Muhammad Auwal Idris, a young tea seller.
The pains are evident everywhere as residents have been lamenting his death in many ways. Some have asked rhetorical questions but received few or no answers: “Why must it be the young man and not the rest of the bad people tormenting the area?” “Why did he intervene in a cigarette dispute when he had the option to simply walk away or close his eyes to what he saw?” But as these questions flood in, the fact remains that the dead do not come back to life.
According to eye witnesses, Muhammad’s sin was that he saw a crime and spoke out, but was rewarded with death.
Police said Muhammad’s death stemmed from an earlier quarrel in which one of the suspects allegedly took a cigarette from a shop without paying for it. Muhammad, who had gone to the shop to buy seasoning, became involved in the ensuing argument and confrontation.
Angered by the confrontation, the suspect allegedly mobilised other youths who trailed the deceased to his workplace at Banga and beat him to a state of unconsciousness.
Following the assault, Muhammad was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment but was later pronounced dead. His remains have been deposited at the mortuary pending autopsy.
Three suspects were arrested while others linked to the incident are still at large. Police said four persons have been identified in connection with the attack.
On October 1, the police announced the arrest of three suspects. The suspects had fled to neighbouring Taraba State after the incident but were tracked and arrested through intelligence-led operations.
Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Kabir Hassan, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to ensure thorough investigation and diligent prosecution.
He assured the family of the deceased and members of the public that the case would be pursued to its logical conclusion. He urged eyewitnesses and residents with relevant information to assist investigators and appealed to the public to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Police said investigation is ongoing and further developments would be made public.
