An administrative officer at New Light Baptist Church, Kaura District, Abuja, John Bargo, has narrated how he was accidentally shot in the leg by two policemen on duty, leaving him with shattered bones, five surgeries, and medical bills exceeding ₦30 million.

More than six months after the incident, Bargo says the Nigeria Police Force has remained silent, despite formal reports to the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, and the FCT Commissioner of Police.

“This is my cry for justice. I have undergone five surgeries and have spent about ₦30 million. I am still on crutches, and I still have one more procedure to go,” he said.

How the Shooting Happened

Recounting the April 23, 2025, incident, Bargo said he had stepped out around 3 p.m. to receive a parcel he ordered from Lagos when he sat on a bench outside the church gate.

Beside him was Umar Saidu, a police officer posted to Voyage International School, their neighbouring institution.

According to him, another policeman assigned to the church, Sergeant Mohammed Ahmed, returned from lunch “excited” and without his rifle, which had been locked in the guardroom.

He said Ahmed walked up to Umar and, in a display of misplaced bravado, grabbed Umar’s AK-47 rifle, cocked it and disengaged the safety pin.

“At that moment, Yusuf and I stood up and said, ‘What kind of joke is that?’ because he had cocked the rifle to the air,” he narrated.

The situation briefly calmed when Umar snatched the rifle back and sat down, placing it on his lap, unfortunately with the muzzle pointing toward Bargo.

But Ahmed returned moments later.

“He said, ‘Is that how to do it? Let me show you how to do it,’ and grabbed the gun again. Before we could understand what was happening, the gun triggered,” Bargo explained to Naijaonpoint correspondent.

The bullet entered below his knee, tore through his shin, and exited through his thigh, shattering his femur.

“I fell to the ground. I was conscious. The bleeding was so much. The exit wound on my thigh was a big tear,” he said.

‘The Officer Who Shot Me Ran Away’

Bargo said that immediately after the shooting, Ahmed fled the scene.

“At the point I was to be taken to the hospital, Ahmed ran away. He absconded because, if not, people around would have landed on him,” he said.

Umar, the officer whose rifle was involved, followed him to the first hospital, FMC Jabi, where the Division Police Officer and other officers later visited. Unsatisfied with the care he was receiving at FMC, his church leaders transferred him to Cedarcrest Hospital, Apo, where he had multiple surgeries.

Five Surgeries, Mounting Bills, and Little Support

Bargo said he remained hospitalised for one month and underwent several surgeries, first on a Thursday, and again the following Sunday due to complications.

He disclosed that the church had to suspend a major project to raise funds for his emergency treatment.

“Over ₦10 million came from the church alone. In total, I have spent about ₦30 million so far,” he said.

He currently uses an Ilizarov external fixator and walks with crutches.

Bargo Alleges Suppression by The Police

Bargo alleges that police authorities have been unwilling to take responsibility.

“The police have been trying to suppress the matter. After my fourth surgery, we needed ₦8.7 million. We reached out to them, but they did nothing,” he said.

He confirmed that the DPO personally gave ₦500,000 and later mobilised another ₦500,000 from colleagues.

The FCT Commissioner of Police also gave ₦1 million from his pocket in June.

“But what would that do compared to my bills? At that time, I was already owing the hospital ₦12 million,” he lamented.

According to him, senior retired police officers who attempted to intervene also met dead ends.

Despite being told that the two policemen would be disciplined, Bargo said the reverse has happened.

“The commissioner told my uncle that the officers should go and look for money. They returned with ₦40,000. But now I am told they have been reinstated,” he said.

He added that he recently saw Umar, the officer whose rifle discharged the bullet, back at work while he, the victim, still struggles with surgeries and debt.

Plea for Justice and Compensation

Although urged to pursue legal action, Bargo said lawyers advised that court processes would take too long.

“At this point, I am not even asking for damages yet. Let the police take care of my hospital bills. I’ve been out of work for over six months. I’m the breadwinner of my family,” he stated.

He said his next steps may include taking the matter to social media, human rights organisations, and other advocacy groups.

“We sent reports to the Police Service Commission, the IGP, and the FCT Commissioner. No response. This is my statement of what happened,” he said.

Naijaonpoint reached out to the Public Relations Officer of the Police, Ben Hundeyin, for comments but he did not respond to calls, texts or messages to his WhatsApp.