Nigeria civil defence deny shooting two civilians in Jos

The corps denied shooting the civilians.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has denied media reports that its officials, Wednesday, opened fire on civilians in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, injuring two.
The Plateau State Commander of the Corps, Sodengi Bature, denied the allegations on Thursday while speaking with PREMIUM TIMES in Jos.
“The allegations are false and unfounded. It’s not true,” he claimed.
“No NSCDC staff shot at any one; rather, it was the suspects who were trying to disarm my people. Therefore in self defense (NSCDC officials) tear-gassed the suspects to enable them effect arrest.”
The reports said two persons were shot at Bukuru, headquarters of Jos South Local Government Area, and were hospitalized.
A hospital official, who pleaded anonymity, told our reporter that the victims were actually brought to the hospital; but sustained minor injuries not of bullet wounds and have been discharged.
The victims were named in the reports as “Ali Abubakar, 25, and Ibrahim Abubakar, 30.”
Mr. Bature further claimed that “the incident occurred as a result of agreement between our men and the suspects, who were allegedly illegally operating a business in a location that government has prohibited.”
“Our men who are involved in the allegation of shooting were part of the team on Jos city renewal task-force assignment when the incident occurred yesterday. Eye witnesses can testify, because the incident happened near a busy environment and highway, no force was used on the said people as is being speculated,” he said.
He said officers of the civil defence are “responsible, gallant and civil enough to deal with the public in a most civilized manner,” and have been warned “not to use the weapons in their position indiscriminately because they stand the risk of losing their jobs and still be punished accordingly.”
Mr. Bature had during the recent graduation of some officers of the corps said, “Any armed squad personnel of the corps, who commits the slightest offence in the handing and use of the fire arms, must not only be dismissed but be prosecuted immediately including anyone who in the process is presumed to be involved or aided or abetted in committing the offence.”

-premium timess.