EndSARS Panel commends AIG Bala Ciroma for sacrifices, professionalism

 By Emma Okereh
Chairman of the ongoing investigative panel on the  defunct Special Anti Robbery Squad and other units of the Nigerian Police Force sitting in Abuja, Monday, commended the efforts of the AIG zonal headquarters, Wuse  zone 7, Abuja, Bala Ciroma.

While extolling the sacrifices made by the AIG,  Bala Ciroma in the case of alleged threat to life of one Mohammed Dan Asabe and one Mrs Kate who were allegedly shot by the Police, justice Suleiman Galadima however reiterated that more still needs to be done in compensating the victims. 

The petitioners, who narrated their ordeal, told the panel that on the 19th April 2019 while in a taxi at Banex area, Abuja, the taxi driver turned into a filling station to top up  fuel in his car.  

Narrating further, Mohammed said, a police officer who was at a checkpoint flagged down the taxi conveying them, but that the driver who refused to stop, later abandoned them in the taxi and fled. 

The petitioner, Mohammed stated that they heard gun shots and afterwards saw a police officer pointing a gun to his head. 

Recounting their experience, Mohammed  said, he later discovered that his legs were broken in three places by gun shots while a bullet also went through Mrs Kate’s left and right leg. 

In  his words ” we were taken to Maitama General hospital but later referred to National hospital, where the AIG, then CP FCT, Bala Ciroma visited us on the third day”. 

Mohammed further informed the panel that the AIG Bala Ciroma apologized over the incident while promising to ensure that the officer in question will be made to face the consequences of his actions. 

In addition, Mohammed told the panel that Bala Ciroma paid about N300,000 for the  surgery he underwent on his legs,  and equally gave both of them feeding money of about N50,000 each. 

The victims who have lost their means of livelihood owing to the effect of injuries they sustained are however seeking compensation to the tune of about N10 million Naira to enable them move on with their lives. 

Ruling on the matter, Chairman of the panel, justice Suleiman Galadima rtd, stressed the need for a sympathetic consideration of the complainants situation. 

The matter was adjourned to November 30th, 2021 for final hearing.