Police impose curfew as gunmen ‘kill’ Islamic cleric in Gombe

Some suspected armed robbers have reportedly killed one Ibrahim Albani, an Islamic cleric, at his residence in Gobona, Tabra quarters, Gombe state.

Confirming the incident to TheCable on Thursday, Mahid Abubakar, police spokesperson in the state, said the robbers invaded the residence of the Islamic scholar at about 3 am on Wednesday.

Abubakar said the scholar was killed during an attempt to reveal the identity of one of the robbers who stabbed him with knives and a machete.

“Yes, there was an incident of his murder but it was not bandits, it was a robbery attempt where four of them invaded his residence, covering their faces with masks,” he said.

“In the process, they requested money and he refused to give them.

“He told them he doesn’t have and made an attempt to uncover one of their masks to reveal the face of one of the robbers and in the process, the robbers used their knives and machetes on him which led to his death.

“That was the Information we got from his wife. The incident occurred at 3 am yesterday. It happened at his residence in Gobona, Tabra quarters, Gombe.”

He said Oqua Etim, police commissioner in the state, has directed a thorough investigation into the incident in order to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.

The police spokesperson said the commissioner has also enforced a curfew from 12 midnight to 6am, due to the increased rate of criminal activities across the state.

“The commissioner enforced the already existing ban from 12 midnight to 6am. It has been in existence but the government had previously suspended it and that they should be allowed to move freely,” he added.

“Due to the increase in crime rate, we had to come up and make that enforcement so that people will have peace of mind and can sleep freely without fear of the criminals.

“As such, all residents are advised to cooperate with us and other security agencies and avoid unnecessary movements within the stipulated hours except those on essential services.

“The police command shall work in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure strict compliance with this directive.

“The public is urged to support this effort by reporting any suspicious individual or group seen moving within the restricted hours to the nearest security agency.”