Protest rocks Dutsinma as Civil hunter kills FUDUMA student

Educational and business activities in the Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State have ground to a halt following the fatal shooting of a student from the Federal University Dutsinma by members of the Civil Hunters (JTF).

An eyewitness informed newsmen in Katsina that the tragic incident stemmed from a dispute between the student, Sa’id Abdulkadir Emir, and personnel of the Special Hunters (JTF) at Unguwar Kashe Naira, near the university’s take-off campus.

According to the witness, the Special Hunters intercepted an Okada motorbike rider accompanying the student. As events unfolded, one of the hunters discharged his weapon, striking both Sa’id Abdulkadir and the rider, Abubakar Darawa, in the lower part of their bodies.

He explained that the student was killed on the spot, while the Okada rider suffered a gunshot wound. Both victims were rushed to General Hospital Dutsinma before being transferred to Katsina for further treatment. Meanwhile, enraged students stormed the hospital in protest, although the perpetrators had already fled.

Ibrahim Lawal also told a newsmen that some students later blocked the main road connecting Katsina, the state capital, with other local government areas and neighbouring states, demanding justice for both their fellow student and the Okada rider. He noted that security forces, including the army and the police, eventually subdued the students’ attempt to take matters into their own hands and restored order.

In response to the incident, the Senate of the Federal University Dutsinma has declared a one-week mid-semester break commencing on Monday, 24 February 2025. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Armaya’u Hamisu Bichi, announced the decision and urged students to vacate the campus by 6:00 PM on the same day.

In a separate interview, local residents voiced their concerns over the conduct of the Special Hunters (JTF) in Dutsinma, citing several instances of unprofessional and harmful behaviour. Many called for the relocation of the hunters, suggesting they be deployed to areas more severely affected by security challenges.