Reactions have continued to trail the killing of a 20-year-old undergraduate Rinji Bala on Tuesday evening by personnel of the Operation Safe Haven in Jos.
Although the Operation Safe Haven through its Media Officer, Major Ibrahim Shittu has tried to explain the inexcusable action, the State Government, Simon Lalong has ordered a probe and punishment for those found culpable.

Also, a political party, the Action Democratic Party, ADP through its Publicity Secretary, Danjuma Auta and a civil society organization, Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse, YIAVHA through its Executive Director, Pwakim Choji have expressed their dismay at the incident.
Auta in a statement said, “On behalf of the State Chairman, Hon. Gideon Adamu, the Action Democratic Party in Plateau state received with great shock and disappointment the shooting and killing of an innocent young vibrant and promising citizen of the state, a 300 level student Rinji Peter Bala, of the University of Jos in the premises of the Operation Safe Haven in the city center of Jos, the state capital.

“As a Party, we condole the immediate family of the deceased, the authorities of the University of Jos, and the entire youths in Plateau state and pray God to grant us the heart to bear this loss.

It will be recalled that ADP in Plateau state had been condemning the excesses of law enforcement agencies particularly the OPS in dealing with innocent citizens in the state and have on several occasions demanded that the state government and other authorities concern do something to stop these inhuman acts which have not yielded any result while our peace-loving citizens have been at the receiving end.
“Rinji Bala who was wrongfully bundled was one among several unfortunate victims of such gruesome acts of the security paid with taxpayers’ money that have now turned against us. As much as we detest crime in whatever way, however, caution must be taken in handling suspects and be treated as suspects until otherwise found guilty. ADP is again reiterating its position by saying that the killings in the state are becoming too numerous to be condoned and something urgent must be done before it gets out of hand.
“We equally view with disappointment the attitude of government always quick to condemn such acts without fallowing it with actions in arresting and prosecuting those found wanting. As a party, ADP is calling for justice in this matter and all other issues of security brutality that had ever taken place in the state and bring the perpetrators to book as nothing short of this will be welcome.”
CSO on its part called for a transparent investigation and justice for the deceased saying, “As an organization, we are in support of people regardless of age, religion, ethnicity and any classification to adhere to preventive measures set out by the government and health personnel towards taming the spread of COVID-19 yet, we cannot keep a blind eye to the stack reality that the set out sanctions for violators be observed by the government and its agencies which are to be administered by the mobile courts.

“If we are to go by the information we have at our disposal, the killing of Rinji Peter Bala is a case of extrajudicial killing by an overzealous officer and his accomplices.”
Also the member of Plateau State House of Assembly Representing Kanke constituency Hon. Barr. Wallok Goma storm the Headquqrter of the Operation Safe Heaven demanding justice for the killing of his constituent.
The member who was received at the headquarters by Brig. Gen. B. Y. Isakaba, the Chief of Staff to the sector Commander expressed dismay over the unprofessional conduct of the officer in question which led to the untimely death of promising young man and demanded that the perpetrator be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He was accompanied on the visit by three of his colleagues, Eng. Amurudu Usaini (Bokkos) Dantong Timothy (Riyom) and Gyanden Peter (B/ladi) who happened to be the Chairman and members of House Committee on Labour and Security.

The honourable member and his colleagues were briefed by the General on what actually transpired and promised that justice will be done as soon as possible.

It could be recalled that the Sector Command of Operation Safe Haven had earlier claimed responsibility of the killing of Rinji Peter Bala by one of it personnel “Mopol” on sentry duty who mistook him for an escaping suspect.

While condemning the ugly incident, through a statement by its media officer, major Ibrahim Shittu, Operation SAFE HAVEN said thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing but the MOPOL personnel have been arrested and detained accordingly.

Since the sad incident happened, many concerned individuals, Youth groups, organizations and the Plateau state government have called for thorough investigation and prosecution of the culprit to serve as deterrent to others and for Justice for the deceased.

count | 97

More reactions and call for Justice trail the killing of Rinji Peter Bala.