Some residents of Gombe State have decried how they were shot at, injured during the August 1 end bad governance protest.
When our Correspondent arrived the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe on Saturday, officials at the facility said no fewer than eight persons were brought for medical attention.
Periscope reports that two have been released, while six are currently receiving treatment. Out of which five are in Accident and Emergency with multiple fractures, lacerations and one other is in Intensive Care Unit.
Investigation revealed that the patient in ICU has two bullet wounds as he is said to be in life support.
Confirming his ordeal at the Accident and Emergency ward of FTH Gombe, 27-year-old Rabiu Ibrahim, said he was not part of the protest but was a victim of circumstance.
He said, “I was not part of the protest only for the police to hit me they were identified as PMF 99 officers. I just returned from my grandfather’s house. I’m a motorcycle operator.”
Asked what he wants government to do for him towards his quick recovery, Ibrahim added “I really need an emergency assistance. As you can see I have a fracture on one hand and on the other is tendon injury and multiple laceration. I’m from Balanga Local Government Area.”
Also, Hassan Haruna, aged 18 years said he sells fish for a living but participated in the protest.
According to him, “I sell fish for a living at Barunde. I’m not a criminal or a vandal, I didn’t take part in such.”
Speaking on what landed him at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe he added, “I went to the peaceful protest. Before you could say anything Police shot teargas around roundabout. As I tried to escape I was cut by an abandoned glass that pierced my leg.”
Also speaking, Mohammed Abdulrauf, said he was shot by a hunter, as he joined a crowd of persons running, “I’m 18 years old I didn’t join the protest I was around Yalenguruza when I saw people running I also chose to run only to be shot by a hunter for no reason. This people wants to cut short my hope of becoming an army officer, I don’t have anyone helping me I only use my KekeNapep to get daily support, he said.
When contacted Gombe Police Public Relations Officer ASP Buhari Abdullahi, said he wasn’t aware of the number of protesters that were injured but disclosed that about seven officers who where injured have been treated.
“Some of our officers who were injured were treated at the government house clinic, some by medical support on ground. We had seven officers that suffered injuries,” he added.
