Police officer held for shooting trader at checkpoint in Plateau

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested an officer for shooting an unarmed trader in the leg at a checkpoint in Riyom Local Government Area.

This incident happened on 11 August when the trader, named Danladi, was stopped while transporting vegetables to the South-east.

Alfred Alabo, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed the shooting. He said the officer was disarmed and taken into custody.

“The DPO, Riyom Division, came there immediately. He got the information with his men, disarmed the officer and took him immediately to the State CID, where he is currently undergoing questioning and a disciplinary process,” Alabo stated.

Alabo added that the Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Faniyan, instructed the DPO to visit the hospital where the victim was being treated and to report back on his condition.

He urged the public to stay calm and avoid clashes with armed security personnel, warning that such situations could get worse.

Faniyan took office as the 47th Commissioner of Police in Plateau State on 11 August, the same day the shooting took place.

At his first press conference in Jos on Friday, 14 August, Faniyan promised to focus on human rights, professionalism, and accountability in his work.

He said his command would “discourage brutality and all other vices that often paint us in a bad light” and promised to “check all excesses and unnecessary aggression against innocent citizens that ignite friction.”

The new commissioner also announced a zero-tolerance policy towards unprofessional behavior. He said the command would uphold due process and respect for human dignity.

“My mandate is ambitious but clear: ‘TO MAKE POLICING IN PLATEAU STATE A POSITIVE MODEL FOR OTHERS,’” he declared.

Faniyan’s remarks on police behavior come as worries about alleged abuses by security forces grow. There is a pressing need for better accountability in the state.

During the same press conference, he said the command would use human rights-focused policing, improve public complaint channels, and ensure officers follow the law.

He also called for better teamwork between the police and the community, stating that security agencies rely on timely and credible information from the public.

The command reported that 30 suspects were arrested between July and August. During this time, they recovered one AK-47 rifle, three locally made rifles, and 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. One suspect was also reported killed during security operations.

Faniyan also condemned jungle justice, calling it a criminal act that could lead to culpable homicide if it results in a suspect’s death.

He warned that those who engage in jungle justice would face serious consequences and urged residents to hand over suspected criminals to the police instead of taking matters into their own hands.