A grieving widow, Aisha Hassan, has accused the Niger State Police Command of killing her 27-year-old son, Sani Khalid, in cold blood. Khalid was allegedly shot by a police officer in the early hours of the morning while he was resting on a bench outside their home in the Angwa-Kaje area of Maitumbi, Minna, Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State.
Hassan, a mother of nine who lost her husband 11 years ago, described the incident as a senseless killing. She explained that her son had stepped outside around 3 a.m. to get some fresh air due to the hot weather when police patrol officers arrived in the area and started shooting.
She told Arewa PUNCH, “I was inside the house with my children when I heard the sound of a police patrol vehicle. Suddenly, I heard a gunshot, and then another one followed. I immediately told my children that someone had been shot. I ran outside to look for Sani and found him lying on a bench at a mai shai’s (tea seller’s) shop. I went closer and shook him, telling him to come inside, but he didn’t respond. When I shook him again, he rolled off the bench and fell to the ground. That was when I realized the police had shot my son.”
Hassan said neighbors who were getting ready for their pre-dawn Ramadan meal rushed to the scene and took Khalid to the hospital, where doctors confirmed that he had died from a gunshot wound.
She described her late son as the family’s breadwinner, explaining that he was a footballer and a small-time trader who worked hard to support his siblings.
“My son was everything to us. He was our only hope since my husband died. Now that the police have killed him, they should bring back my son,” the devastated mother cried.
Neighbors Say Policeman Was Drunk
Some residents of Angwa-Kaje who witnessed the incident accused the policeman of being under the influence of alcohol when he fired the deadly shot. They claimed the officer also attempted to shoot the mai shai but missed as the tea seller managed to escape.
One neighbor, Ibrahim, said, “The policeman was clearly drunk when he came down from the patrol van. He shot Khalid in the stomach while he was lying on the bench. Then he tried to shoot the mai shai, but the tea seller ran away. There was no disturbance in the area; we were just preparing for fasting when the police suddenly arrived and started shooting.”
When Arewa PUNCH visited the widow’s home, over 50 Muslim women had gathered to console her. Many of them sat on the ground, whispering in grief.
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Police Say Khalid Was Hit by a Stray Bullet
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the shooting but claimed that Khalid was hit by a stray bullet. The police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said officers were responding to a report of unrest in the area when the shooting occurred.
Abiodun said, “On 10/3/2025, at about 3 a.m., a police patrol team attached to Maitumbi received a distress call that some youths were causing unrest at the Angwa-Kaje area. The team mobilized to the area and, unfortunately, was attacked by the youths who threw stones at them. In an attempt to disperse the crowd, a member of the patrol team fired gunshots, and a stray bullet allegedly hit one Sani Khalid in the stomach.”
He assured the public that the police had launched an investigation into the incident and that the officer responsible would be identified and held accountable.
“The Police Command has received the complaint about the shooting, and the Divisional Police Officer of Maitumbi has been directed to investigate and identify the personnel involved for further necessary action. Updates will be provided to the public in due course,” Abiodun added.
However, he did not respond to allegations that the officer who fired the gun was intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Calls for Justice Grow
Khalid’s killing has sparked outrage among residents, with many calling for justice. Some community members have demanded that the police take full responsibility for the incident and ensure the officer involved faces the law.
For Aisha Hassan, the loss of her son is unbearable. As she continues to mourn, she is pleading with the authorities to take action.
“I have suffered enough since my husband died. Now they have taken my son too. I just want justice for my son,” she said.