ACCRA, Ghana – Thursday, May 14, 2020,/ https://africanpostonline.com/ –A 20-year-old student of the University of Jos, Mr Rinji Peter Bala was allegedly murdered in cold blood by the Nigerian military in Jos, Nigeria. A campaign with the hashtag #JusticeForRinji trends in Nigeria as many seek justice for him.
It was reported that the deceased was arrested with 6 others and beaten with a machete for disobeying the lockdown orders but later found to be innocent. Upon their release from the police custody, they were asked to run. Upon running, the soldiers opened fire killing Rinji while the others escaped and gave an account of the incident.
The Nigerian Army’s Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State has rendered an apology in a statement by its media officer, Major Ibrahim Shittu.
The statement reads:
Operation Safe Haven regrets the unfortunate death of a civilian by name Mr Rinji Peter Bala by its personnel.
At about 10 pm 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.
Renate Dzodzomenyo – African Post Online
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Renate is a lawyer, publicist, and writer. She believes that education and information is the key to developing and shaping Africa. In her free time, she paints beautiful art pieces on canvas. Renate believes that life is a perception, and you live it the way you perceive it.
