Tragic Incident: Young Footballer Fatally Shot by Police Officer in Niger State.
In a heartbreaking incident, a young footballer identified as Sani has lost his life following a shooting by an unidentified police officer in the Angwan-Kaje area of Maitumbi, Minna, within the Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State. Reports indicate that the officer, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, discharged his firearm recklessly around 3 a.m. on March 10, 2025.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that Sani was unarmed and posed no threat at the time of the incident. Additional reports suggest that a tea seller known as Mai Shayi was also targeted but managed to escape the gunfire. “The officer shot him unlawfully while he was sleeping.
He attempted to shoot another person, but the individual ran away,” a witness reported, noting that bullet shells were discovered at the scene.
Community members have described Sani as a peaceful young man with no affiliations to criminal groups.
“We knew him. He was not arrogant and he did not belong to any ‘Yan daba’ group. He was a good person,” a local source emphasized.
Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that the incident has been reported.
He stated that the Commissioner of Police has directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Maitumbi to conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible for this tragic event, promising further updates to the public as the investigation unfolds.
