By Ayo Ajoge,
Special Correspondent,
Birnin-Kebbi

In the ensuing protest, policemen on duty at the Yauri police station opened fire on the protesting youths and three persons were shot dead in the melee and five other persons hospitalised.

Addressing a press conference in Birnin-Kebbi on Wednesday, Police Commissioner, Sale Abubakar told journalists that the police were on the defensive when the youths gathered themselves and were attempting to burn down the police station and the barracks in Yauri town.

Abubakar also stated that part of the barracks were burnt down, adding that if the youths have successfully burnt down the station and the barracks, the matter would have gone beyond its present situation.

He said the police action was to curtail the protesters in order not to allow politicians to hijack the situation, pointing out that three people were shot dead and five others wounded, yet the situation was managed such that it did not degenerate to a free for all fight.

He, however, stressed that no stone would be left unturned until the truth of the matter is made known assuring that the policemen accused to have taken part in the robbery on that fateful Monday morning as well as the driver of the passengers vehicle and the passengers will be quizzed to ascertain the facts of the incident.

“No one is above the law and no one will be made a scape goat in this matter.

All I want is that the people should cooperate with the police and I want to assure you that the people will be convinced at the end of the investigation whichever way it goes”, he added.

Abubakar stated further that the policeman that was reported to be on the run in connection with the robbery is now cooling off at the Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB).

The three accused officers were however, paraded before newsmen. One of them Corporal Mohammed Bala told newsmen during an interview that a certain commercial bus driver had informed them while on their duty check point that there was an armed robbery attack at Dogon Karfe, along Yauri-Kontagora road at about 3.00 a.m on Monday.

Mohammed explained that they drove towards the robbery spot and parked their Algon Jeep about 50 metres away from the spot but the robbers upon seeing them opened fire on them, upon which his team also returned the fire pointing out that at no point did he and members of his team robbed any vehicle as was alleged by the people.