Two Killed, Many Injured As Policemen Clash With Soldiers In Taraba

There was pandemonium at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Collation Centre in Jalingo, Taraba state capital, on Monday.

Naija News learned that the pandemonium resulted from a clash between soldiers and policemen guarding the INEC headquarters.

It was gathered that two policemen were killed and two others sustained injuries in the clash ahead of the declaration of the winner of the state governorship election.

Daily Trust reports that soldiers, who sent policemen away from the INEC collation centre, later invaded police headquarters and chased away police officers on duty.

It was learned that the injured policemen are currently being treated at Federal Medical Center, Jalingo.

Vehicles parked inside the police headquarters were reportedly vandalized during the incident, while sporadic shots triggered panic among residents as shops, markets, and houses were shut.

Police, Army Speak On Incident

During a joint press conference, the State Police Commissioner, Suleiman Amodu, said a high-powered investigative panel would be set up to establish the cause of the incident.

The conference was attended by the Commandant, 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Jalingo, Brig General Frank Etim, and the state Director of the Department of State Services (DSS).

They described the incident as unfortunate, urging residents of Jalingo to go about their normal business. They said the situation had been brought under control.

Meanwhile, the Acting Assistant Director of the Army Public Relations, Lt O. Oni, has said that two soldiers were seriously wounded during the unfortunate incident.

He told Daily Trust that the wounded soldiers are receiving treatment at a hospital in Jalingo.