Some soldiers reportedly gunned down a policeman while three of his colleagues escaped with some gunshot injuries following their refusal to stop at a checkpoint along Bauchi-Jos expressway.
According to reports, the victims were travelling in a bus from Taraba to Kaduna on the fateful day.
The assistant director, army public relations of the 33 Artillery Brigade in Bauchi State, Joseph Afolasade, confirmed the incident via a statement issued on Sunday, May 29, 2016.
According to him, the policeman was gunned down mistakenly after the driver of the bus refused to stop at the checkpoint for routine checks of occupants.
He said: “The headquarters 33 artillery brigade wishes to inform the general public that on 28th May 2016, at about 2:14pm, the troops deployed at Panshanu check-point along Bauchi-Jos road, opened fire on a bus.
“The bus drove dangerously through the checkpoint and refused to stop when flagged down on suspicion that it might be conveying terrorists or armed criminal elements, while approaching the check point.
“Regrettably, one person died and 3 others sustained injuries in the process. Preliminary investigation confirmed the identity of the occupants to be policemen who were in mufti coming from Taraba state to Kaduna for an interview.
“The brigade urges all motorists, irrespective of status, to always obey the stop sign at all the check points to avoid reoccurrence of this unfortunate incident.”
The brigade urged the public to be conscious of the current situation in the country, especially the on-going operation in the north-east to clear the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents from their hideouts.
He added: “This is sufficient cause for all to abide by the rules at check points in the interest of all. The cooperation of the entire populace is necessary in the fight against insurgency and criminality.”
