The August 6 killing of three operatives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team and two civilians in Ibi community, Taraba State, would have been averted, had standard operating procedure been adhered to.
That was the position of a seven-panel of enquiry constituted to investigate the alleged killing of the IRT operatives, and civilians, by soldiers of 93 Battalion deployed at a checkpoint along Ibi-Wukari Road, within the Ibi general area.
It could be recalled that the late police personnel – Inspector Mark Ediale, Sergeants Usman Danzumi, Dahiru Musa, as well as an informant – were among the IRT operatives that arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin in Ibi, Alh. Hamisu Bala (a.k.a Wadume), on that fateful day.
They were, however, shot and killed as they made their way to the Taraba State Police Command Headquarters in Jalingo, where they were scheduled to document report of their operation.
Apart from the killing of the operatives, the soldiers were reported to have set the suspected kidnap kingpin free.
Though, Wadume has since been rearrested by operatives, the development had caused a strain in the relationship between the Army and the Police.
Signs of the bad blood first emerged when, the Army, whose troops were accused of killing the police officers and civilian, had swiftly defended its men, saying the circumstance had presented the forced as “suspected kidnappers”
A further pointer emerged when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, directed soldiers on pass to travel in mufti, warning of likely “aggression” towards them by police personnel.
Worried by the incident, President Muhammadu Buhari consequently ordered the Defence Headquarters to set up a panel of investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the ugly development.
Consequently, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, had set up the seven-man Board of Enquiry headed by Rear Admiral Ibikunle Olaiya.
However, in the report submitted to the convening authority, the panel observed that there were infractions and poor communication between personnel of the police and troops of the Army.
This was as the panel recommended further investigation of Captain Tijani Balarabe, who was alleged to have ordered the attack on the police operatives.
The recommendations of the panel were conveyed in a statement Tuesday by the Acting Director of Defence Information (DDI), Col. Onyema Nwachukwu.
Also, Sergeant Ibrahim Mohammed, and Corporal Bartholomew Obanye,were recommended for further investigation by the Army.
On the part of the Police, the Board emphasised the compelling need to probe the role of the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) in charge of Ibi Police Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Aondoona Iorbee and Inspector Aliyu Dadje.
They are to be investigated for alleged complacency and necessary disciplinary measures.
Further to this, the board of enquiry, according Nwachukwu, also recommended that Wadume be thoroughly investigated for alleged gunrunning and kidnapping and possible prosecution
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