The Taraba State Police Command has been thrown into mourning following the death of its Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abdulahi Usman. According to reports, Usman passed away after a protracted illness.
Sources close to the Command confirmed that Usman died in the early hours of Sunday at his residence in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital. He had been the Command’s spokesperson for the past three years.
Gambo Kwache, the second-in-command to the PPRO, who had been acting as spokesperson while Usman was away for medical treatment, confirmed the death to newsmen. “I woke up and saw 14 missed calls on my phone and a message stating that Oga is dead. I will call you, let me get there first,” Kwache stated.
A close friend of the late Usman, Mr. Ahmed Manga, also confirmed the death. Speaking through the phone of the PPRO, Manga said Usman died at about 5 am on Sunday. “He was sick, although not much, until last night, when he started struggling with the sickness.”
Manga revealed that they had planned to take Usman to the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Jalingo but unfortunately, he passed away on the way. “Before we could get there, he died on the way. He was later confirmed dead when we arrived at the FMC,” he said.
Citizenship Daily reports that Usman will be buried according to Islamic rites, on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Taraba State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the demise of its PPRO.