The Taraba State Police Command has issued a strong clarification regarding the arrest of one of its officers by the Nigerian Army during an operation in Karim Lamido Local Government Area. The police insist the officer was performing his lawful duties and has no connection to the militia activities that prompted the military intervention.
Police Reject Allegations of Militia Links
This clarification comes amidst significant public interest and speculation following the army's announcement of the officer's detention. The incident occurred during a raid in the Usmanu axis, where troops neutralised four militia members and recovered a cache of weapons.
In a detailed statement, the police command pushed back against what it described as false online claims. The command explained that the officer was stationed at the Usmanu police outpost, performing his official duties, when soldiers entered the community. The operation was a response to renewed violence stemming from the long-standing communal conflict between the Shomo and Wurkun groups.
The police stated that preliminary findings show the officer remained at his duty post even as residents fled the escalating tensions. He reportedly cooperated fully with the arriving troops. The command emphasized that no evidence has been found linking the officer to any criminal activity or armed elements, and he was not in possession of any prohibited items.
Army Details Complex Security Operation
For its part, the Nigerian Army provided details of the operation that led to the encounter. Troops responded to clashes with armed assailants in the Fadama axis. In the ensuing firefight, four militia members were killed. The recovered items included:
- Three dane guns
- One fabricated AK-47 rifle
- Two motorcycles
- Twenty-five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition
The army confirmed that a police officer found at the scene was taken in for questioning to ascertain any potential links to the warring factions. Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa commended the troops for their swift response. He highlighted the complex nature of the conflict and stressed the necessity for robust inter-agency coordination among security forces.
General Uwa assured residents of Karim Lamido that ongoing military operations, including Peace Shield, Lafiya Nakowa, and Zafin Wuta, would continue until full stability is restored to the area.
Commitment to Accountability and Public Trust
The Taraba Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimeyin, reaffirmed its commitment to discipline and professionalism within its ranks. CP Otimeyin stated that the force remains guided by the directives of the Inspector General of Police to protect communities while upholding the highest standards of conduct.
She issued a stern warning that individuals spreading false information to malign police officers would face legal consequences. The command urged the public to rely solely on official channels for accurate updates as investigations into the incident proceed.
Furthermore, the police encouraged residents to report any suspicious movements to nearby police formations to support efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace to all affected communities in Taraba State.
In a related development, the report noted that troops from Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) and Operation Zafin Wuta had earlier arrested a suspected kidnapper, Umar Musa Geyi, in Wukari Local Government Area. The suspect was allegedly negotiating a N20 million ransom for an abducted victim at the time of his arrest.
