Mr Bitram Boyi Baka, a staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, was allegedly shot dead by a policeman, at a restaurant near the Gombe State Police Command. The father of two had gone to the restaurant to meet up with some friends.
Before he arrived the place, there was a disagreement between a corporal and an inspector and the corporal went out and returned with a gun. But before the corporal returned, the inspector had left the place and Baka came in and sat on the chair the inspector stood up from, not knowing what had happened.
Immediately the corporal came in, he reportedly opened fire on Baka, thinking that he was the inspector. He was later confirmed dead at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe. A witness said on the fateful day, the inspector had sent the corporal to buy cigarette for him, which led to a disagreement as it angered the corporal who, instead of buying the cigarette went and brought his rifle.
Family of the deceased said they are seeking for justice because Baka was their bread winner and he left two children, Stephanie and Stacy, behind. His wife, Hauwa Bitram, said they faced a lot of challenges since her husband was killed, and lamented that the police authorities didn’t even condole the family.
When DailyTrust contacted, Gombe State Police Commissioner, Austin Iwar, he said, “The police had dismissed the suspect. Presently he is in prison. There is nothing to hide.” But the question that many people are asking is when will the police condole the family of Baka and bring the culprit to book? Cc: DailyTrust
