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Al-mushahid Initiative for Transparency and Accountability (AITA) condemns in strong terms the killing of the three police detectives from IGP special force and a civilian by the Nigerian Army along Ibbi-Jalingo road in Taraba State.
This was contained in a press release signed by its Media Officer, Mr. Deshi Munkuwe made available to Capitalwatch Media in Abuja. The renowned anti-corruption NGO described the incident as unfortunate, barbaric that warrant an urgent, thorough and independent investigation.
“The IG Special Force detectives were said to have successfully executed their assignment by apprehending Hamisu Wadimi , an alleged notorious kidnap kingpin in Ibbi local government of Taraba State. On their way from Ibbi to Jalingo, the Nigerian Army at a checkpoint opened fire killing three police men and a civilian and the suspect escarped.”
“The killing of the three policemen and a civilian by unidentified soldiers along the Ibi-Jalingo road, Taraba State, on Saturday remains unacceptable. We in AITA refused to relay on the position of the Nigerian Army which said the killing was a case of mistaken identities.”
“Consequently, we join Mr President in calling for an urgent and thorough investigation into the incident to ascertain exactly why the soldier did what they did beyond their confessions. It is unfortunate that dedicated, diligent and professional police detectives who were on a important official assignment as that should fall found victims of another section of the nation’s security apparatus.”
“It was recorded that Nigerian Army said the policemen and the civilian were mistaken for kidnappers, a claim that the Nigerian Police Force has rejected. On this regard, we are calling on the the government to ensure fact findings of the incident.”
It was gathered that the Taraba State Police command headquarters in Jalingo confirmed that the killed detectives before proceeding to Ibbi Local Government for the arrest, had on their arrival from Abuja reported at the command. Similarly, the detectives reportedly informed the local police authorities in Ibbi about their mission as required by the procedure in such assignments.
Unfortunately on sighting the Humma Toyota Bus conveying the detectives from Ibbi to Jalingo, the soldiers allegedly opened fire on the vehicle thereby forcing the driver to stop. .
However, the suspected gun runner, was said to have been rearrested and taken to the police headquarters in Jalingo together with the remains of the detectives.
