Adamawa: Police, Military Engage in Gunfight Following Attack on Headquarters; Governor Fintiri Calls for Calm

From Umar Dankano,Yola

The Adamawa state police command and the 23rd Armoured Brigade have reacted on the rationale behind the violent clashes between their personnel leading to destruction and lost of lives.

Reports had it that, three soldiers boarded a commercial tricycle on Tuesday’s night at about 10.00pm and were stopped at a check point by police for routine checks at a popular target junction in state capital.

As the police and Civilian Joint taskforce guards asked the soldiers to come down for inspection then they refused challenging them of their audacity to do that then serious disagreement  ensued where a soldier used his jack knife to injured the police on his body then he shot him in the leg in depending himself.

A situation that forced the remaining two soldiers to ran in fear of uncertainty as the police rush the injured soldier to police clinic for treatment then later at 11:30 pm the Brigade Mobilized in their numbers armed to teeth with heavy equipments including armoured personal Carriers rounded up the police headquarters shooting sporadically in all directions.

In a press statement issued in Yola Wednesday by the command’s spokesman, DSP Sulaiman Nguroje saying that, the  Commissioner of police CP Afolabi Babatola ,strongly condemned the conflict between Police and Military Officers which resulted in exchange of fire on the Police Facility (Headquarters) killing one of it’s personnel, by name Inspector Jacob Daniel.

“The CP warned that attacks on all security officers in the line of duty would no longer be tolerated under whatever guise, as the Command holds the lives of all security personnel sacrosanct, and such unwarranted  conflict would be strictly treated in accordance with extant laws.

“It is vital to work with other sister security agents  in protecting the fundamental rights of  security operatives, in order to enable them advance their sacred mandate of serving and protecting the citizens better.

“I appeal for calm as the top Management of both security agencies are doing everything legally possible to address the situation”. The statement added.

When contacted in a mobile phone interview on the police claim, the Brigade commander of the 23 Armoured Brigadier General Gambo Mohammed accused the police of kidnapping one of his soldier while his personnel were mobilised to rescue him.

General Mohammed said as soon his personnel reached the police headquarters,the police fired at them which they responded accordingly.

“The police attacked and kidnapped my soldier which informed his colleagues to go on rescue mission

“They (police) fired at the military personnel on the mission and they too responded accordingly”. Mohammed maintained.

Similarly, disturbed by the unfortunate incident,Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has called on the people to remain calm and go about their normal businesses describing Tuesday night’s skirmishes in Yola, the State capital as unfortunate.

Governor Fintiri in a press statement appealed for accommodation and tolerance among security agencies describing the incident as unacceptable “at this time of peace building” stressing  that Government is on top of the situation and appealed to the parties to exercise restraint in the overall peace of the State.

He urged all security personnel on special assignment to remain at their duty post and conduct themselves with high sense of maturity.

“I am concerned that such acrimony could have lasting consequences on the hard earned peace we have been able to build over the years.”

“I appeal to all security personnel for restraint, mutual respect and tolerance for one another as people destined to work together in this great State. I appeal for patience and understanding as the administration works towards lasting solutions to these conflicts.” The statement added.