Shock as police claims three of its officers, one civilian killed by soldiers who freed captured notorious kidnapper

Investigation has been launched into the killing of three police operatives and one civilian by soldiers in Taraba state.

Officers of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) were attacked by yet-to-be-identified soldiers along Ibi-Jalingo Road, while taking a kidnap kingpin, identified as ‘Alhaji Hamisu,’ to the Command Headquarters in Jalingo.

A statement on Wednesday from police spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, said the soldiers injured other police operatives during the attack.

Mba said the police operatives, led by ASP Felix Adolije of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), reportedly came under sudden attack and shooting by soldiers of the Nigerian Army, along Ibi – Jalingo Road, Taraba state.

He said the operatives, who were taking the arrested suspect, Alhaji Hamisu, to the Command Headquarters in Jalingo, were shot at several times by the soldiers despite sufficient proof that they were police personnel on legitimate duty.

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The three policemen (comprising one Inspector and two Sergeants) and one civilian died as a result of gunshot injuries sustained in the attack, while others sustained serious gunshot wounds.

“The soldiers thereafter released the handcuffed suspect, Alhaji Hamisu, who is now on the run,” the police said.

Mba said, Alhaji Hamisu, a notorious kidnap kingpin, has been on the police wanted list for his complicity in several high-profile kidnap cases, including the recent abduction of an Oil-Mogul in Taraba state wherein a ransom of about One Hundred Million Naira (N100,000,000) was paid.

He said the IGP has ordered the AIG Medicals to proceed to Jalingo to ensure concerted efforts in the treatment of the injured police officers.

Mba said the remains of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue, adding that, the Force has commenced full investigation into the bizarre and unfortunate incident.

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