Soldiers of the Nigeria Army have shot and killed three policemen as well as a civilian in Taraba state.
The policemen attached to the IRT were said to have been transporting a suspected kidnapper, simply identified as Alhaji Hamish who has been linked to kidnap for ransom.
The soldiers were said to have opened fire on the policemen killing two of them and the civilian identified as a pointed, while the third policeman died in the hospital where he was rushed to the hospital for medical.
A press statement by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) DCP Frank Mba, Wednesday in Abuja, said: “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, “The soldiers thereafter released the handcuffed suspect who is now on the run. Alhaji Hamisu, 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 N100 million was paid.”
The spokesperson said the Inspector General Mohammed Adamu has ordered the Assistant Inspector General of Police AIG in charge of medicals to proceed to Jalingo to ensure concerted efforts in the treatment of the injured Police officers.
He said the remains of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue.
Meanwhile, IGP Adamu, has ordered full-fledged investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of three police operatives and one civilian, and serious injury to other Police operatives, who were on investigation activities to Ibi, Taraba state, to arrest one Alhaji Hamisu indicted in a series of high profile kidnap incidents, the statement further said.
The spokesperson said the Force has commenced full investigation into the bizarre and unfortunate incident.
