IGP. Hafiz Abubakar Ringim
A man who witnessed the episode told Daily Trust that the clash, which engulfed the ancient town of Badagry, started at about 8am yesterday. The incident happened as both Police
Affairs Minister Humphrey Abah and Police Inspector General Hafiz Ringim were paying a visit to Lagos. They hastily cut short their visit when they heard of the fracas.
Yesterday’s episode, described as a “reprisal attack” by the soldiers, had its roots on Monday when a policeman attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State government allegedly shot dead a soldier at the Badagry round about.
There were conflicting accounts of what happened to the killer. Public Relations Officer of the Army’s 81 Division Lieutenant Colonel Kayode Ogunsanya told newsmen that those who shot the soldier have since being arrested and are currently being detained by the army, but another source alleged that the trigger-happy cop was detained by the DPO while investigation was ongoing.
Those who witnessed Monday’s killing said the deceased soldier was in mufti at the time of the incident and was allegedly escorting goods suspected to be smuggled into the country when he was confronted by the RRS team. “The RRS policemen ordered the vehicle the soldier was in to stop for a search, but the soldier rebuffed the policemen’s orders. The ensuing argument led to the policeman shooting the soldier,” a witness said.
When they heard of their colleagues’ killing, soldiers from the barracks were said to have gathered around the Ibereko Bus Stop along Badagry-Seme Roundabout. The soldiers then burnt the property of policemen living in the army barracks before they spread to the bushes and killed the policemen. They also set ablaze several police vehicles.
Another witness told our correspondent that some passers-by were also beaten by the soldiers who barricaded the highway. Commercial and vehicular activities came to a halt as residents of the area scampered to safety.
Witnesses said while the carnage lasted, travellers and residents of Badagry ran helter-skelter. All roads leading to Seme border were blocked by the rampaging soldiers, while traders near the scene of the incident quickly closed shops and ran for cover.
Commander of the 242 Recce Battalion, Badagry, Colonel Nabara, when contacted on phone, said the matter is under control but that he would not comment any further.
Spokesman for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Colonel Kayode Ogunsanya, when contacted on phone, said the Army would investigate the incident.
The Police Force Public Relations Officer in Abuja DCP Olusola Amore only said two police officers were killed and others were attacked in Badagry, Lagos State by men suspected to be soldiers from 242 Recce Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
He said after the “two senior police officers paid a peace mission visit to the commanding officer of the Battalion in Badagry as a result of the alleged unfortunate killing of a soldier by policemen attached to RRS on Monday, The two officers were ambushed and killed when they were leaving the barracks.”
He urged the men on both sides to exercise restraint and stop the attacks, “as such situation will undermine the existing cordial relationship between the two services.”
Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Abubakar Ringim has ordered a high powered investigation into the case and appealed for calm as those involved in the act will be identified, arrested and prosecuted, the FPRO further said.
Attempts to get the reaction of the Army headquarters were unsuccessful last night.
It would be recalled that a similar incident occurred between personnel of the Nigeria Army’s Abalti Barracks and policemen of the Area ‘C’ in Ojuelegba, Surulere in 2005, in which several lives were lost. The Headquarters of both the Area C’ Command and the Police Divisional Headquarters were destroyed were destroyed in that episode.
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