Two individuals have been reported deceased in the Obi local government area on Sunday following a confrontation between an army officer and a police special constable affiliated with the Jenkwe Division, which occurred at Agyaragu Market.
Naija News gathered that the incident, which resulted in the fatalities, arose during an investigation into a reported motorcycle theft at approximately 12:30 PM on Sunday.
It was confirmed in a statement issued by the Police Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ramhan Nansel, that after the theft was reported, a suspect was apprehended by a police officer in conjunction with a Police Special Constable from the Jenkwe Division at Agyaragu Market.
However, while transporting the suspect to the police station, a soldier, whose name has not been disclosed, reportedly on leave from his service in Borno State, intervened and assaulted the police officers in an attempt to thwart the arrest.
As a result, the soldier brandished a knife and inflicted injuries on the Police Special Constable.
“In self-defence, the soldier was overpowered, and his knife was used against him. They both sustained varying degrees of injuries, and the wounded soldier was subsequently confirmed dead,” Nansel noted in the statement.
Given the foregoing, some youths were said to have mobilized and stormed the police station, setting it ablaze.
Police were said to have responded to the attack and fatally injured three of the attackers, where one was later confirmed dead.
“Upon receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Nadada, immediately visited the scene alongside Military personnel from Operation Whirl Stroke, 177 Guards Battalion and 22 Quick Response Unit, where he swiftly ordered the deployment of a unit of Police Mobile Force, a cell of Counter Terrorist Unit and Tactical units to restore peace in the area,” the police statement added.
However, normalcy is said to have been restored in the area while police continue their investigation as the commissioner orders a manhunt for perpetrators.