Bauchi CP clarifies issues surrounding death of 65 yr old Babanta

Samuel Luka, Bauchi

The Bauchi state Commissioner of police, Umar Mamman Sanda has clarified issues surrounding the death of 65 year old Adamu Babanta which occurred recently in the state capital.

The CP while addressing the press in his office on Monday, noted that the move becomes necessary in view of the recent public narratives on the matter.

He quoted J.S Michael who said, “There are always two sides of the Story. Understanding is a three-edged sword.
Your side, their side and the truth in the middle.
Always get all the facts before jumping into conclusion”.

The CP said preliminary investigation indicated that the incident was a case of fatal motor accident and not murder.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that, on the 30th October 2022, at about 1930hrs, a case of fatal motor accident was reported at Yelwa Divisional Police Headquarters Bauchi, which was immediately transferred to the command’s central Motor Traffic Division (MTD) for a discreet investigation”, he said.

The CP said that outcome of the investigation revealed that the incident occurred at Yelwan Tudu market junction Bauchi, involving a Honda accord sedan motor vehicle black in colour with REG. NO. DAS 688 AA which was driven by one Muhammad Damina (Galadiman Dass) “M” aged 68yrs of Yelwan makaranta Bauchi who is the suspect and the victim, one Adamu Babanta “M” aged 65yrs of the same address.

Umar Mamman Sanda added that police findings also established that the accused (Mohammed Damina) is a neighbor to the deceased (Adamu Babanta) who called the daughter on phone and arranged to meet her at a junction near Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) gate Yelwan Tudu market Bauchi.

“The father of Khadija who is now deceased met them at that point, though not together inside the suspect’s vehicle or in any sort of compromised position, rather she was standing with the motorcycle rider that brought her to the location”, the CP explained.

According to him, the deceased went straight to the occupant of the vehicle (Mohammed Damina) and both of them started exchanging heated words to a point where the deceased started shouting “barawo-barawo” (thief-thief).

“This was confirmed by an eye witness; the daughter, her senior brother and the suspect. The repercussion of which is to attract mob action from bystanders and passers-by”, the Police Commissioner said.

He said, in the process, the accused attempted to start his vehicle with the intention of zooming off and evading a public escalation of the situation including possible mob action but the deceased suddenly opened the vehicle’s door from the driver’s side.

“Notwithstanding, the accused engaged his vehicle and accelerated while the father of khadija now deceased was still clinging to the car door, as a result, he was dragged to a certain distance, when he fell off thereby hitting his head on the pavement of the road with impact”, CP Sanda further explained.

He said that the victim was rushed to ATBU Teaching Hospital Bauchi for treatment, but was unfortunately confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

According to him, the accused (Mohammed Damina) was therefore arrested and detained for investigation immediately.

CP Sanda pointed out that, after the arrest and detention of the accused, he immediately ordered an Autopsy on the corpse to ascertain the cause of his death.

“The result was received on 8th November, 2022 from ATBU Teaching Hospital Bauchi which shows that the victim died of Traumatic Spinal cord injury and multiple skeletal/soft tissue Trauma”, he said.

The CP who said that the court where the accused was charged to has remanded him at the Correctional facility, added that he has directed that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) discreetly investigate the matter to unravel the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.

The police commissioner urged journalists not to relent in their firm commitments and dedication to ensure global best ppractice of ethical investigative journalism, aimed at seeking the truth and establishing national cohesion and patriotism to nation.

“Ordinarily, the command would have overlooked this issue, but it has become expedient to set the record, as some members of the public are being mislead by some section of the media, that the case was a outright murder”, the CP said.

The Police Commissioner who commiserated with the family of the Victim, assured that Justice will be served accordingly.