A senior officer of the Nigerian Navy, Lieutenant Commander M. Buba, was tragically stabbed to death by a suspected robber early on Saturday, June 7, near the Kawo flyover bridge in Kaduna.
The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. as Lt. Cdr. Buba, a student at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) in Jaji, attempted to fix a flat tire on his vehicle. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailant emerged from a nearby area and demanded the officer’s mobile phone. When Lt. Cdr. Buba resisted, the attacker stabbed him in the chest with a sharp object, believed to be a local knife.
A local vigilante, Suleiman Dahiru, who tried to intervene, was also injured during the altercation. The assailant was subsequently overpowered and lynched by an angry mob at the scene. Lt. Cdr. Buba was rushed to Manaal Hospital, where he was confirmed dead on arrival. His remains have been deposited at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna for further action.
Security sources have indicated that covert operations have been launched by troops, police, and other civil security agencies to identify and remove criminal elements loitering around strategic locations, including bus stops and other black spots in Kaduna metropolis.
The Kawo area, where the incident occurred, has been identified as a hotspot for criminal activities. Residents have reported that the absence of streetlights and the closure of petrol stations at night have made the area particularly vulnerable to attacks. One resident noted that even security agents dare not pass through the area at night due to the activities of hoodlums.
In response to the growing concerns, local authorities have pledged to increase security measures in the area. The Kaduna State Government has also been urged to expedite the installation of streetlights and improve surveillance to deter criminal activities.
The death of Lt. Cdr. Buba has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian Navy and the wider community. His colleagues and family members have expressed their grief and called for justice. The Nigerian Navy has vowed to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous act are brought to justice.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the security challenges facing Kaduna State and the need for concerted efforts to combat crime and ensure the safety of residents.
The Nigerian Navy has expressed its condolences to the family of Lt. Cdr. Buba and assured the public that all necessary steps will be taken to support the ongoing investigation and bring the responsible individuals to justice.
