The police command in Nasarawa State has said that two people have been confirmed dead following a clash between a soldier and a police special constabulary at Agyaragu market in Obi Local Government Area.
In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent Ramhan Nansel said the incident occurred around 12:30pm during an investigation into a motorcycle theft.
Nansel said after the theft was reported, police operatives, with support from a police special constabulary member at Jenkwe division, arrested a suspect at Agyaragu market.
He added that while transporting the suspect to the police station, a soldier, reportedly on leave from duty in Borno state, intervened and attacked the police officers in a bid to obstruct arrest.
The spokesperson said the soldier produced a knife and stabbed the special constabulary.
“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,” the statement reads.
The spokesperson said in the wake of the altercation, a group of youths mobilised and attacked the police station, setting it ablaze.
He said the police seriously injured three of the attackers, one of whom was later confirmed dead.
“Upon receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Nadada, immediately visited the scene along with 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 statement added.
Nansel said normalcy has been restored to the area, and that the commissioner has ordered a manhunt of those found culpable, as investigation into the incident progresses.
