Soldiers kill three policemen, one civilian, release ‘kidnap kingpin who collected N100m ransom’
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has ordered investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of three police operatives who were on investigation activities to Taraba State.
A statement by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), on Wednesday in Abuja said the three operatives and one civilian were killed while other operatives were seriously injured.
He said the operatives were on investigation activities to Ibi in Taraba to arrest one Alhaji Hamisu indicted in a series of high-profile kidnap incidents in the state.
Mba said the operatives, led by ASP Felix Adolije of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) reportedly came under sudden attack and shooting by soldiers of the Nigerian Army, along Ibi-Jalingo Road, Taraba.
“The operatives were taking the arrested suspect to the Command Headquarters in Jalingo, when they were shot severally by the soldiers despite sufficient proof that they are police personnel on duty.
“Three policemen, one inspector and two sergeants, and one civilian died as a result of gunshot injuries sustained in the attack while others sustained serious gunshot wounds.
“The soldiers, thereafter, released the handcuffed suspect, Hamisu, who is now on the run,” he said.
He said the suspect had been a notorious kidnap kingpin and had been on the police wanted list for his complicity in several high-profile kidnap cases.
Mba said that one of the cases included the recent abduction of an oil mogul in Taraba State wherein a ransom of about N100 million was paid.
He said the IGP had ordered the AIG Medicals to proceed to Jalingo to ensure concerted efforts in the treatment of the injured police officers.
The FPRO said the remains of the three deceased had been deposited in the morgue while investigation into the incident had commenced.
Meanwhile, the Police Command in Lagos State has commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ahmed Segun, 32, allegedly killed by a mobile policeman.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bala Elkana, said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday.
Elkana said Segun was allegedly killed by a mobile policeman when he and his friends forcefully tried to gain entrance into the company the policeman secured.
“On August 6 at 9 p.m. the command received a distress call that some youths armed with dangerous weapons attacked a car stand at Council Area, Ikotun Road, Idimu and about to set the building ablaze.
“Police teams from Idimu and neighbouring Police stations were mobilised to the scene. Reinforcements were also sent from the Rapid Response Squads.
“Preliminary investigation showed that the youths were reacting to the death of Ahmed Segun, 32 years old, purported to have been shot by a mobile Policeman protecting the company.
“Eye witnesses stated that there was an argument that ensued between the mobile Policeman and the deceased which led to a physical confrontation.
“Some of the eye witnesses narrated that the deceased and his friends made an attempt to forcefully gain access into the company but were resisted by the mobile Policeman which resulted into a fight and eventual shooting of the deceased,” he said.
The PPRO added that the group was notorious for harassing people in the area.
He said the whereabout of the said mobile Policeman was presently unknown as it is not certain whether he is dead or alive.
“The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Zubairu Muazu has ordered an indepth investigation into the case,” he said.
