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Military to punish officers indicted in Damaturu, Calabar clashes

Published

9 years ago

July 21, 2017

Feyijimi Emmanuel

says avoidable misunderstanding responsible

By OKOSUN DENNIS

The Defence Headquarters on Friday in Abuja said officers that have been indicted by the investigative panel in Army and Police clash in Damaturu would be punished accordingly.

He disclosed that “avoidable misunderstanding” between Nigerian Army personnel and some policemen led to the clash that claimed the life of a soldier, three policemen and seven others injured.

Some soldiers and policemen serving under Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in Damaturu had on 11 April, 2017 engaged in a show of shame leading to the death of some personnel on both sides.

While given reports of the Board of investigative panel on the clash and other clashes, the Defence spokesperson, Maj Gen John Enenche, said the clash was caused by “an avoidable misunderstanding from exchange of words and later physical confrontation”

He stated that based on the negative development, the military high command deemed it imperative to set up a panel to look into the matter with a view to mitigating future happenings.

The panel in the course of its findings, recommended that henceforth, there should be strict centralized operational and administrative control on all security agencies serving under Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

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Gen Enenche pointed out that “Offenders in the incident are to be sanctioned appropriately, to serve as deterrence to other personnel in the Theatre of operation,” noting that all disciplinary action would be communicated to other parties.

Similarly, the Defence spokesperson also unveiled reports of the clash between Nigerian Navy and Police Personnel in Calabar on the 30 May, 2017, in which police lost two officers.

The clash that led to the destruction of lives mad properties was found to be caused by a misunderstanding between a naval rating and a policeman which later escalated.

In its recommendation, the Nigerian Navy and Police were ordered to institute further investigation to identify erring personnel for sanctions while at the same 2, Security services were cautioned to periodically remind their personnel to always comply with standing regulations, at all times and places.