The Nigerian military has apologised for the killing of a 20 yr old student of the University of Jos by operatives of its Operation Safe Haven outfit in Plateau State.
Peter Rinji Bala was shot dead by military officers attached to Operation Safe Haven on Tuesday. The killing attracted a lot of backlash by Nigerians on social media.
The 20yr old victim of extra judicial killing had been arrested alongside six others by vigilantes for violating a coronavirus lockdown order imposed by the state government.
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The vigilantes handed over the men to the military security outfit whose officers subsequently shot Bala to death after he was tortured.
The security outfit issued a statement on Wednesday through its media officer, Major Ibrahim Shittu, expressing remorse at the unfortunate death of the civilian caused it’s personnel.
“Operation Safe Haven regrets the unfortunate death of a civilian by name Mr Rinji Peter Bala by its personnel.
“At about 10pm on 12 May 2020, information was received on the activities of suspected armed robbers and cultists operating around No 18th Street, Jos South LGA of Plateau State.
“The report revealed that the criminals took advantage of the lockdown and curfew to perpetrate crimes. Consequently, Sector 1 patrol troops of OPSH swiftly responded and arrested seven suspects, which were immediately moved to the Headquarters Sector 1 for preliminary investigation.
“Thereafter, five out of the seven suspects were cleared and asked to leave the premises. Unfortunately as they were leaving the premises, one of the personnel on sentry duty mistook them for escaping suspects, thus opened fire on them, which led to the death of Mr Rinji Bala.
“However, a thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. Meanwhile the MOPOL personnel involved in the incident has been arrested and detained accordingly.
“Operation SAFE HAVEN has condemned the sad incident. Representative of OPSH has also visited the parents of the deceased to commiserate with them. OPSH also assures the general public of justice.”
The statement read.
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