Musa Rhapsodi Affos, Jalingo

There is tension in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital as multiple protests hit the metropolis over the murder of Mr. Oliver Barawani by the men of the Nigerian police force.

Areas such as the Mile 6 axis of the metropolis have been completely blocked by the Protestants demanding justice for Oliver. Our reporter observed that the protesters who are predominantly youths were seen carrying postcards with various inscriptions demanding justice for Oliver.

Another set of youths have headed to the Taraba state government house, Jalingo to lay their complaints and grievances.



Rhapsodi Affos Blog (RAB) gathered that Oliver who was the personal assistant to the Chairman of Lau LG, Rev. Daniel Dazing was shot by some members of the Nigerian police force at a police checkpoint, around Lankaviri, a suburb of Yorro LG, a border town to Jalingo the state capital.

The officers were alleged to have shot the deceased after an argument that erupted between him & the officers on Friday and was rushed to the hospital. However,r he died on Monday as a result of the degrees of injuries sustained from the gunshots.

According to the Commissioner of Police, Taraba State Command, Abimbola Sokoya, on Tuesday, confirmed the death of Mr. Oliver Ezra, the driver to Lau Local Government Area Chairman, who was shot by Sgt Haruna Idi of the command last Friday.

He said that the Force has extant laws that guide the conduct of officers and assured that the case would be thoroughly investigated and if found guilty, the officer in question will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

‘What triggered the incident was the issue of impatience that caused the driver of the Lau local government area Chairman Mr Oliver Ezra to come down from his vehicle to confront the officer at the checkpoint when there was another oncoming vehicle.



‘In the process, there was some misunderstanding and the driver was shot and subsequently rushed to the Federal Medical Centre Jalingo where he was responding to treatment until this morning when he passed on.

‘We are relating with the family and have sent out condolences and will be involved in all the process. We have deployed our men to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.

‘Nigeria Police Force has an extant status that guides our actions and this incident will be subjected to it. An investigation has already commenced and once it is completed, the law will be allowed to take its course,’ Sokoya said.

As of the time of filing these reports, more protecting groups are teaming up to demand justice for the deceased.

However, during a press briefing, the Taraba state police command revealed that two police officers had been arrested.