Student Arrested After Gun Scare Rocks Taraba Islamic School

(Nigerian Police Officers. Photo Credit: Nation News)

The police have arrested an 18-year-old student after allegedly recovering a mini revolver from him at an Islamic school in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

According to a statement issued Thursday by the state police command’s spokesperson, Victor Mshelizah, Usman Usman was arrested following a report filed on July 14 by the management of Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau Institute for Koranic Memorisation over a disagreement between two students.

Mshelizah said preliminary investigations revealed that Usman, a native of Sansani in Gassol Local Government Area, was found in possession of the firearm during the altercation, allegedly intending to use it to intimidate the other student involved in the dispute.

He said the weapon recovered was a mini revolver pistol without ammunition.

He explained that officers attached to the GRA Police Division swiftly arrested the suspect and recovered the firearm.

During questioning, the suspect reportedly disclosed that he had obtained the revolver from a fellow student, Akilu Alhassan, who is currently at large.

A manhunt has since been launched to locate him and other suspected cult members allegedly linked to the incident.

The spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Taraba State, Morkwap Dongshal, has ordered that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the firearm’s possession and the possible involvement of others.

The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling cultism, illegal firearm possession and other violent crimes, urging parents, guardians, school authorities and community leaders to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities that could threaten public safety.

The command also assured residents of its continued dedication to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace across the state.