Fintiri Calls For Calm Following  Military, Police  Clash in Adamawa

Daji Sani in Yola

Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has called on the people of the State to remain calm and go about their normal businesses describing Tuesday’s nights gunshots in Yola, the Adamawa State capital as unfortunate.

This was contained in a press release  in which  the governor ppealed for accommodation and tolerance among security agencies, describing the incident as unacceptable “at this time of peace building.”

While regretting the ugly incident that led to the clash between the Soldiers and the Police, Governor Fintiri disclosed that government is on top of the situation and appealed to the parties to exercise restraint in the overall peace of the State.

Governor Fintiri urged all security personnel on special assignment to remain at their duty posts and conduct themselves with high sense of maturity.

He said: “I am concerned that such acrimony could have lasting consequences on the hard earned peace we have been able to build over the years.”

“I appeal to all security personnel for restraint, mutual respect and tolerance for one another as people destined to work together in this great State. I appeal for patience and understanding as the administration works towards lasting solutions to these conflicts.”

The skirmish between the military and police  claimed one life and left several others injured.

Eyewitnesses said that the incident happened at Target-Junction in Yola between soldiers and police who were on duty.

It was alleged that trouble started when a tricycle popularly known as “Keke Napep,” which was carrying some soldiers as passengers was stopped by the police on their duty post for normal checking but the soldiers in the tricycle tried to disarm the police man and were injured.

Some soldiers who were on mufti returned to the army barracks and reported the issue.

It was further alleged that the military, on hearing the report, deployed 12 trucks of soldiers to the police headquarters and  attacked on the police and killed one police inspector.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police  in Adamawa State, CP. Afolabi Babatola,  has strongly condemned the conflict between the police and military officers that resulted in exchange of fire and brutal attack on police facility and killing of Inspector Jacob Daniel.

Babatola’s condemnation of the incident was contained in a press release that was issued yesterday by Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) SP. Suleiman Nguroje, in Yola Adamawa State. 

Nguroje also said that Babatola has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter to ensure peace and justice.

He said: “The CP warned that attacks on all security officers in the line of duty would no longer be tolerated under whatever guise, as the command holds the lives of all security personnel sacrosanct, and such unwarranted conflict would be strictly treated in accordance with extant laws.

“He equally reiterated the commitment of the command to the protection of lives and property while stressing that it is vital to work with other sister security agents in protecting the fundamental rights of  security operatives, in order to enable them advance their sacred mandate of serving and protecting the citizens better,” he said.

The police boss appealed for calm as the top management of both security agencies are doing everything legally possible to address the situation.

However, the Brigade Commander of 23 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Gambo Mohammed, said that he ordered his men to rescue one of his soldiers who was shot and hidden by police.