A serious incident is alleged to have occurred at the residence of a former Borno State governor involving the Chairman of Guzamala Local Government Area, Umar Lawan Sheriff.
Sources familiar with the matter say the confrontation escalated during a disagreement at the residence. Sheriff is alleged to have fired a double-barrel shotgun into the air before turning the weapon towards one Sanusi Othman and threatening to kill him. A spent shotgun cartridge was later recovered from the scene.
According to accounts of the incident, Sheriff arrived at the residence and made a remark about a man who was sleeping there, asking whether he took drugs. Othman is said to have objected to the comment. In a WhatsApp message dated 3 September, Othman warned Sheriff not to associate him with drugs, ending the exchange with the words: “I’M NOT YOUR MATE.”
An eyewitness account states that Sheriff later returned in his vehicle, produced a double-barrel firearm, fired into the air and pointed the weapon at Othman while issuing a death threat. People at the residence fled in panic. Othman is reported to have escaped unharmed.
A video that later circulated on social media shows a man displaying a spent red shotgun cartridge recovered from the scene. In the video the man states that shots were fired in an attempt to kill him and presents the empty cartridge as evidence.
Nearly three weeks after the alleged incident, no formal report appears to have been made to the police or the Department of State Services. Sources say intermediaries close to the chairman approached those involved and urged them not to take the matter to the press or security agencies, citing the potential political consequences for Sheriff and the number of people said to depend on him. The intermediaries are reported to have described the incident as a regrettable mistake that should be resolved privately.
The allegations involve the discharge of a firearm and a reported threat to life by a serving public official. In such circumstances the public interest ordinarily requires that the matter be investigated by the appropriate authorities rather than settled privately.
Security agencies have not publicly confirmed whether they are aware of the incident or have opened an investigation.
