A grieving mother, Aisha Hassan, is demanding justice after a tragic incident in Minna, Niger State, where her 27-year-old son, Sani Khalid, was allegedly shot and killed by a police officer in the early hours of the morning.
According to Aisha, who has been widowed for 11 years and is raising eight children, the heartbreaking event unfolded around 3 a.m. in the Angwa-Kaje area of Maitumbi, Chanchaga Local Government.
Khalid had stepped outside to get some fresh air when gunshots suddenly rang out. Moments later, she found her son lying lifeless on a bench at a nearby tea vendor’s shop.
A Mother’s Agony
Through tears, Aisha recounted the moment she discovered her son’s body. “I shook him, but he didn’t move. I tried again, and he fell to the ground. That was when I realized my son was gone,” she said.
Neighbors quickly gathered, and Khalid was rushed to a hospital, where doctors confirmed his death.
Khalid was more than just a son—he was the family’s breadwinner. A passionate footballer and small-scale trader, he worked hard to support his mother and siblings.
Now, Aisha is left with a void that no words can fill. “The police have taken my son. Will they bring him back?” she cried.
Eyewitnesses Say Officer Was Drunk
Residents of Angwa-Kaje claim the policeman responsible for the shooting appeared intoxicated when he opened fire. “He just stepped out of the patrol van and shot Khalid in the stomach while he was lying on the bench,” a neighbor, Ibrahim, said.
The officer allegedly also tried to shoot the tea vendor, who managed to escape.
The area was peaceful at the time, with residents preparing for their early morning fasting meal. “There was no trouble. We were just wondering why the police were patrolling so late when we heard the gunshots,” another neighbor recounted.
Police Response: ‘It Was a Stray Bullet’
In response to the public outcry, Niger State Police Command spokesman Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the incident but claimed Khalid was hit by a stray bullet.
According to him, the police had received a distress call about youths causing unrest in the area. “When officers arrived, they were attacked with stones. In an attempt to disperse the crowd, one of the officers fired shots, and a stray bullet hit Sani Khalid,” he explained.
Abiodun assured that an investigation is underway, with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Maitumbi tasked with identifying the officer responsible for further action. However, he did not address allegations that the officer was intoxicated at the time.
Calls for Justice Grow Louder
As Aisha continues to mourn, the community is demanding accountability. “We won’t be silent until justice is served,” a family friend stated.
Many are calling for a transparent investigation and for the officer involved to face consequences.
The tragic loss of Sani Khalid has once again raised concerns about police brutality and the need for urgent reforms in law enforcement. For Aisha and her family, the pain is unbearable, but they hold onto hope that justice will prevail.
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