A violent confrontation between soldiers and police officers sent shoppers scrambling for safety at a busy mall in Jos, Plateau State, on Monday, December 1, 2025. The incident, which occurred along Ahmadu Bello Way, involved physical assaults and the seizure of a police rifle before order was restored.
How a Dispute Over a Phone Repairer Escalated
According to eyewitness accounts, the clash originated from a dispute involving a roadside phone repairer. A soldier allegedly accused the trader of damaging his device and attempted to arrest him on the spot. A police officer on duty intervened, advising the soldier to take the matter to a police station instead.
The situation escalated when the soldier later returned to the Hamaz mall area on Ahmadu Bello Way with colleagues. What followed was a physical fight, with two soldiers and two policemen trading punches as terrified onlookers fled. Bello Lukman, a social media user who posted about the event, claimed the soldiers assaulted the police officer and left the scene with his service rifle.
Panic and Restoration of Order
The brief but intense clash caused significant panic in the vicinity. Traders hurriedly shut their stalls, fearing a wider confrontation, while residents attempted to contact other security agencies to prevent further escalation. Security presence in the area was temporarily reduced following the incident.
The Plateau State Police Command moved swiftly to address the situation. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alabo Alfred, confirmed the altercation and stated that it had been taken seriously. "The incident has been taken seriously and thoroughly investigated, and the security personnel involved in the disgraceful act have been sanctioned accordingly by the management of the respective agencies," Alfred stated.
Joint Review and Assurance to the Public
Alfred explained that a joint review was conducted by both the police and military authorities, leading to disciplinary actions against the involved personnel. He assured Jos residents that the matter had been conclusively resolved and mechanisms were implemented to prevent a recurrence.
"The misunderstanding between personnel of the two responsible security agencies has been properly addressed, and measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence," the police spokesperson emphasized. The Plateau State Police Command wishes to assure the public that the situation is under control.
This incident highlights the occasional tensions between security agencies, even as authorities work to maintain professional conduct and public trust.
