Soldiers/police bloody clash claims 3 in Yobe

CLASH between the military and the police in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, has left no fewer than three persons dead.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the cause of the clash was not yet known, but the town had been thrown into confusion.

It was also gathered that the financial institutions, government establishments and people who opened to business were forced to close early.

The state Commissioner for Police, Mr Sumonu Andulmaliki, who confirmed the incident, said men in military uniform had abducted the Squadron Commander of Mopol 41 Damaturu, Dauda Fika.

Meanwhile, the military spokesman in the state, Colonel Kayode Ogunsoya, in a statement said a committee had been set up to end the clash.

Aftermath sporadic shoot-out in a conflict between army and policemen in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, on Wednesday, there was a halt of socioeconomic activities in the metropolis for several hours.

NAN reported that business premises were shut, as men of the two security agencies took positions at strategic locations in the state capital.

Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Kayode Ogunsanya, confirmed this in a statement issued and made available to NAN.

“The attention of this headquarters had been drawn to an unfortunate incident that happened between some unguided soldiers and policemen in Damaturu, this morning.

“A joint committee between the Nigerian Army and the police has been set up to investigate the incident,” he said.

NAN reported that army and police chiefs in the state had a joint meeting with the state deputy governor, Abubakar Aliyu.

Yobe State Commissioner of Police, Mr Sumonu Abdulmalik, who spoke to newsmen after the meeting, said the army and police were jointly investigating the incident to ensure it did not happen again.

He assured that the situation was under control and that adequate measures had been taken to forestall recurrence.

Similarly, Brigadier-General Aminu Lamde, Commander, 27 Taskforce Brigade, Buni-Yadi in Yobe, said the incident should not be seen as a conflict between the two institutions, but between unguided individuals, assuring that the matter would be investigated and handled appropriately.

A hospital source in Damaturu, who did not want his name printed, told newsmen that two policemen and a soldier were brought to the hospital in critical condition, while some civilians sustained injuries from stray bullets.