Jos: Man killed in policemen, soldiers’ clash over suspects

Written by The Punch Wednesday, 10 March 2010 11:59

A gun duel was on Tuesday averted between soldiers and policemen when they (policemen) tried to prevent a team of military men from arresting some suspected Fulani herdsmen who had taken refuge at the Police Staff College, Jos, after they were accosted by some security men.

In the ensuing pandemonium, two persons were shot by the soldiers.

One of them identified as Mr. Gyang died instantly while the injured man was rushed to hospital and received treatment for gunshot wounds.

The soldiers were said to have gone to the college in two armoured personnel carriers with number NA 25-950322 and NA 25-95032333 and two Hilux trucks with number FGN 373A0/3 and PL274101 to arrest the fleeing Fulani men.

The military men led by a captain reportedly asked to be allowed into the premises to effect the arrest of the Fulani men alleged to have sneaked into the premises via a collapsed fence but the policemen sought to obtain permission from their superiors before allowing them in.

This infuriated the military men who reportedly forced their way into the premises and in the ensuing commotion opened fire on a crowd that had gathered within the premises.

The military men eventually arrested four Fulani men.

Attempts to get an official reaction to the development from military authorities failed as the Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Lt. Col Galadima Shekari, said only the General Officer Commanding Three Armoured Division, Gen. Saleh Maina, could speak on the operation.

Meanwhile, a civil rights group, the League for Human Rights has asked for the disbandment of the Solomon Lar Presidential Advisory Committee in Jos crisis.

The group also warned that the people were gradually losing confidence in the ability of the military to protect them over allegations of lopsidedness on the part of security personnel.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the Director, Peter Shamaki said people are also worried that the killings have continued despite the security alert in the state.

He commended the Federal Government for sacking the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Sarki Muktar, and replacing him with Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau.

Shamaki said, “People are gradually losing confidence in the presence of security personnel because they no longer believe that they will bring peace and stability and this is to say the least, a dangerous development for a nation at the precipice. The mere presence of security cannot guarantee peace; it can only come from a heart that has peace and from a peace enforcer that is loyal and committed to his duty.

“We need peace in Plateau State and in order to have peace, there must be fairness and justice without which there can be no meaningful development. Dialogue is good but it won’t work when people can kill and go unchecked and unpunished by law so the security personnel must step up their game to nip in the bud these attacks by staying loyal and committed to their line of duty,” the group said.

Meanwhile, the Middle Belt Youth League has called for the Maina’s removal.

The group, in a statement signed by the State Coordinator, Mr. Manasseh Watyil; State Chairman, Ayuba Jagaba; and Secretary, Matthews Dawap, said that the GOC had not discharged his duties as an officer of the Nigerian Army with the way he deployed troops during the January 17 crisis in the state.