The Nigeria Police Force has accused some unidentified soldiers of shooting to death three police officers and a civilian along Ibi – Jalingo Road, Taraba State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, stressing that several other officers were also injured during the attack.
The statement noted that the police operatives led by ASP Felix Adolije of the Intelligence Response Team reportedly came under sudden attack while taking a kidnap kingpin, Alhaji Hamisu, to the Command Headquarters in Jalingo.
DCP Frank Mba, said further in the statement that one police Inspector, two Sergeants and a civilian died as a result of gunshot injuries sustained in the attack.
He noted that the errant soldiers shot the policemen despite sufficient proof that they were on legitimate duty. They subsequently released the suspect who is now on the run.
Hamisu, identified as a notorious kidnap kingpin, had been on the police wanted list for his complicity in several high profile kidnap cases including the recent abduction of an oil mogul in Taraba State where a ransom of about N100 million was paid.
Mba stated, “The police operatives, led by ASP Felix Adolije of the IRT reportedly came under sudden serious shooting by soldiers of the Nigerian Army along Ibi – Jalingo Road, Taraba State.
“The police operatives who were taking the arrested suspect, Alhaji Hamisu to the Command Headquarters in Jalingo, were shot at several times by the soldiers despite sufficient proof that they are police personnel on legitimate duty.
“Three policemen comprising one Inspector and two Sergeants and one civilian died as a result of gunshot injuries while others sustained serious gunshot wounds.
“The soldiers thereafter released the handcuffed suspect, Alhaji Hamisu, who is now on the run.”
The statement said further that the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had ordered the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Medicals to proceed to Jalingo to ensure the treatment of the injured officers.
The remains of the deceased had been deposited in the morgue even as the police have started full investigation into the incident.
Innocent Odoh, Abuja
