The operatives of Kano Road Transport Agency (KAROTA) have allegedly stabbed a young man and brutalised many others, including women during the recent Eid-l-Kabir celebration in Kano.

The victim, identified as Radiyuddin Tahir, who operated a Point of Sale (POS) service on Sabon Titin Mandawari area in Gwale of Kano State, was observing durbar at his shop when the incident occurred.

It was gathered that Tahir sustained injury in the abdomen and is currently receiving treatment at Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano.

Eyewitnesses disclosed the KAROTA personnel became furious when they alleged that onlookers yelled at them while they were following the entourage of the Emir of Kano

An eyewitness, who is also a relative to the victim, Salahuddin Nams’aiki, narrated how the incident occurred.

Nams’aiki, said: “The emir had passed while KAROTA where in the last part of the entourage rallying with their vehicle and weapons. They headed toward onlookers and we were watching in front of our shop; they just came and started hitting people that is how they stabbed him and injured other people including women.”

Another eyewitness said the KAROTA operatives were passing in their vehicle when some people yelled at them and started mocking them which infuriated them to start beating people indiscriminately around the area which led to stabbing the victim.

Parents of Tahir have, however, accused the KAROTA personnel of stabbing him with a knife at his business environment.

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Malama Shehu, mother of the victim, said the unfortunate incident traumatised her, noting that the victim has been an important supporter of the family.

“By Allah the victim has been supportive to me and the family. My child isn’t a thug, he doesn’t smoke. Why will they cheat him like this? I pray God come to our aid.”

When contacted, the KAROTA Public Relations Officer, Nabilus Abubakar Kofar Na’isa, who confirmed that there was a clash, said they were yet to get the formal report because the agency and other security agencies were involved in the incident which he said was not led by KAROTA.

He stated: “There was clash but it was a joint taskforce operation which included KAROTA, NSCDC, FRSC, Police, etc. not KAROTA alone is involved in the operation. And it is not KAROTA that was leading the team.

“Just like he was injured, KAROTA operatives and others were also wounded. Four KAROTA officers sustain injuries three of them were hospitalised but they were discharged earlier today. So we are waiting for the report of the incident before taking any action. We cannot say anything now.”

A legal practitioner in Kano Barr Abba Hikima said carrying weapons by KAROTA operatives contravenes Nigerian laws, adding; “We often receive complaints from people on how KAROTA operatives hit people or people’s vehicles. There is no law that allows them to wield weapon of any kind. It contravenes Nigeria’s laws. Commissioner of Police should arrest those carrying weapons because it is against public order.”

The Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, neither answered several calls to his telephone line nor reply the message sent.

The police had in a statement by the spokesman said the Sallah celebration was peaceful in Kano State but 85 thugs were arrested across five emirates of the state.

The Star