Soldiers Killed 3 Officers and Released a Kidnap Suspect in Taraba - Nigeria Police Says

Police accuse soldiers of killing 3 officers and releasing a kidnap suspect in Taraba.

The Nigeria Police Force have accused soldiers of killing three of their personnel while freeing a kidnap suspect in Taraba state.

According to a statement released by Frank Mba, the spokesperson of the force, he said police officers from the Intelligence Response Team IRT, were in Taraba to effect the arrest of one Hamisu, an alhaji “indicted in a series of high-profile kidnap incidents in the state. Hamisu who is a “notorious” kidnap kingpin has 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 wherein a ransom of about One Hundred Million Naira (N100,000,000) was paid.

Mba says the police officers had arrested Hamisu but was set free by some soldiers who attacked the police officers.

''The soldiers thereafter released the handcuffed suspect, Alhaji Hamisu, who is now on the run. The Police Operatives, led by ASP Felix Adolije of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) reportedly came under sudden attack and serious shooting by soldiers of the Nigerian Army, along Ibi – Jalingo Road, Taraba State.

The Operatives, who were taking the arrested suspect, Alhaji Hamisu to the Command Headquarters in Jalingo, were shot at severally 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 sustained in the attack while others sustained serious gunshot wounds.” Mba said  

Mba said the police have commenced full investigation into the “bizarre and unfortunate incident.”

The Nigerian Army is yet to react to this allegation.