A police officer attached to the Hotoro Division, identified as Sani S.O., has been killed during a clash between rival thugs in Kano, just months before his retirement.

A source close to the deceased told Daily Trust that the officer was deployed alongside his colleagues to disperse the fighting groups when he was allegedly shot by one of the thugs using a dane gun.

“He was working at the Hotoro Division and was deployed with others to disperse the thugs. Unknown to him, some of them had a dane gun, which they used to shoot him.

“He was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead,” the source, who pleaded anonymity, said.

The source described the late officer, who had served for more than 30 years, as a respected figure in his community.

“He was a good person who contributed immensely to society, especially within his immediate environment. He was just a few weeks away from retirement before he was killed,” the source added.

Efforts to get the reaction of the police were unsuccessful, as the state police spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, did not respond to calls and text messages as of the time of filing this report.

Kano has in recent weeks witnessed a resurgence of thuggery-related clashes in different parts of the city, including areas previously less associated with such violence. The development comes as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. (Daily Trust, excluding headline)