In 9ja: Police, Army reconcile after clash in Ibadan

This is a follow-up on this story

A group of soldiers stormed a police station in Mokola and beat up the policemen inside.

Authorities of the Nigerian army, 2 Division, Ibadan; and the Oyo State Police Command on Friday announced an end to the clash between officers of their respective outfits.

There was pandemonium at Mokola area of Ibadan on Thursday when a group of soldiers stormed the police station in the area and beat up the policemen within.

It was gathered that the soldiers were reacting to the alleged assaulted inflicted on a colleague, who was shot in the ankle during a routine stop and search operation in front of the police station.

Shortly after the soldiers left, policemen started shooting sporadically into the air as they got one of the soldiers arrested.

At a joint press briefing held at the Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan, the two security agencies said they had resolved the impasse.

In attendance were the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Department, 2 Division, Ibadan, Mustapha Ankar; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Dansuki Galadandi; and the Police Public Relations Officer, Bisi Ilobanafor.

The police spokesperson clarified reports on the events at the checkpoint and subsequently at the Police station at Mokola saying, “There was an altercation when a policewoman who just closed from work was on her way home. The woman was in mufti when two men who were on motorcycle, also in mufti, assaulted her. When she retorted they beat her up and she called for help.

“The three policemen who went to the scene to ascertain what went wrong were stabbed in the chests and buttocks by the men who were later found to be soldiers. One of the policemen shot into the air to alert the Police station nearby. He fired another shot on the ground and the ricochet of the bullet injured one of the soldiers on the leg.

“The Divisional Police Officer at Mokola ordered that the men (including the soldier) be rushed to the hospital for treatment. On Thursday after 3pm some soldiers brandishing hammers, clubs and other objects attacked Mokola Police Station. They were curtailed with utmost restraint,” she said.

Also speaking, the GOC representative alleged that the matter was exaggerated on the social media forums, adding that the two security agencies do collaborate to secure safe environment for Nigerians.

“Actually there was a clash but it is being resolved. The GOC and the CP were contacted and they directed that there should be joint investigation of the 23 soldiers that came to attack Mokola Police station. There is no problem any longer. The matter has been dealt with,” he said.

Source: Premium Times.

 HBC: Phew*whiping my forehead*.