Soldiers Invade Police State Headquarters In Taraba, Kill 3, Shot At CP Vehicles

Some men of the Nigerian Army have invaded the State Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital on Monday morning.

The attack which started at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC headquarters near the Police Headquarters led to the death of three policemen, several others injured with the security vehicles of the Commissioner of Police, Sulaiman Yusuf riddled with bullets.

The police command in Taraba has confirmed the killing of its personnel by soldiers on Monday in Jalingo.

The command spokesman, Abdullahi Usman, told journalists that two others were injured and receiving treatment.

Three policemen with one of them on mufti were shot dead.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the Police Spokesperson, Abdullahi Usman said an investigation would be conducted to ascertain the real cause of the incident.

“The Commissioner of Police, Yusuf Suleiman, and the Commander 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Frank Etim have met, discussed and agreed that a commission of enquiry is set up to look into the real cause of this incident,” he said.

Usman said the incident occurred at a military checkpoint close to the INEC headquarters in Jalingo and the police command at about 8:30 a.m.

“The soldiers shot two police personnel and went away with their riffle.

“Some proceeded to the command headquarters with guns and sporadically shot in the air, and one police officer who was going off duty was shot and killed instantly.

“Another who was just reporting for duty and did not even know what was happening was also shot the moment they identified him as a policeman.

“As we speak, we have gotten reports that our men who are escorting election results or on various duties are been stopped at military checkpoints and harassed,” he alleged. 

It was gathered that trouble ensued when a female police officer was assaulted by soldiers at the INEC headquarters in the state, prompting other policemen to engage the soldiers which one of the soldiers was allegedly stabbed during the confrontation.

A closed-door meeting between heads of security agencies held at the Department of State Service Headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, Yusuf Suleiman, who read their resolution on behalf of others regretted the incident but assured of discreet investigation to unravel the root cause of the matter.

Vehicles including that of the police commissioner’s convoy were shot and deflated within the premises of the Police Headquarters in Jalingo.

Bullet shells, deflated tyres, broken barricades, destroyed vehicles were seen with police officers in fear of what has befallen them by their sister security agency, the Nigerian Army.

Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Sulaiman Yusuf said:

“The Commander 6th Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the Commissioner of Police, Taraba State command, regret the unfortunate incident that occured this morning 20th March, 2023 which led to a clash between the personnel of both organizations in Jalingo.

“It was a minor disagreement that led to the escalation of the incident. This incident is a dent in the synergy and mutual trust both the army and the police in Taraba state has enjoyed.

“While assuring the citizens of Taraba State to go about their daily activities, the high command of both organizations have set up a joint investigation team to look into the root cause of the matter with a view to ensuring that erring personnel are brought to book,” the Taraba Commissioner of Police, stated.

He also assured that all efforts are still in place to support the ongoing electoral process and to see to its completion.

The ongoing collation of results for the governorship elections have been put on hold.

Collation and announcement of results for the remaining six local government areas was supposed to commence by 11 a.m today but the latest incident may have put it on hold.