Police Officer Killed In Clash Between Cops And Soldiers In Adamawa; Governor Appeals For Peace

A police officer lost his life after receiving a bullet injury during a clash between cops and soldiers in Adamawa on Wednesday. Another officer was injured in the incident. State Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri urged both parties to resolve their differences peacefully.

Police Public Relations Officer SP Suleiman Yahaya confirmed that Inspector Jacob Daniel was killed in the clash that broke out in the state capital of Yola. He said there was a brutal attack on the Adamawa State Police Command headquarters, which led to an exchange of gunfire Wednesday.

Police Commissioner CP Afolabi Babatola strongly condemned the incident and ordered an investigation.

"We are committed to the protection of lives and property. We cannot do this alone, it is vital to work with other sister security agencies in protecting the fundamental rights of security operatives, in order to enable them to advance their sacred mandate of serving and protecting the citizens better," Babatola said.

Fintiri urged both parties to focus on their duties of protecting citizens and their properties instead of fighting with each other.

"I want to urge them to resolve their differences and ensure peace reigns," he added, Punch reported.

The police officer who was injured during the gunfire exchange said the police department was doing the "same job of protecting Nigerians and protecting the territorial and sovereignty of Nigeria, so, no sister agency should think the other is inferior."

The officer claimed the military officials attacked cops over some false information.

"I am a junior officer, but I think what they needed to do was to call the Commissioner of Police and find out what happened," he said. "They acted on false information that their colleague was killed by a police officer and without investigating, they moved over 12 armored tanks on an attack on our headquarters. This is unacceptable."

The junior officer, whose identity was not revealed, said the department will share its side of the story at a press conference.

Gen. Gambo Mohammed, the commander of the 23 Armoured Brigade, claimed a soldier was shot by the police and his body was kept hidden somewhere. He added that the military team was just trying to rescue its men.

Earlier this week, a group of armed men invaded Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Edison Ehie's home in Port Harcourt and opened fire.