By OKOSUN DENNIS
After the May 30 clash in Calabar, Cross River, between men of the Nigerian Navy and Police, Defence Headquarters, on Tuesday, set up a probe committee to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the clash.
During the clash, both forces suffered casualties and destruction of property in the state.
The Director, Defence Information, Major General John Enenche, disclosed in Abuja on Tuesday that the probe panel comprised senior officers from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce and Police.
National Daily gathered that the probe committee “is mandated to recommend appropriate sanction or sanctions to anyone or group of people that are found culpable in the avoidable incident.”
He said the setting up of the committee “is aimed at checkmating and subsequently eliminating such incidents in the future, in order to enhance the relationship between the military and other Security and Response Agencies in Nigeria.
“The Defence Headquarters hereby appeal to members of all security and response agencies to embrace espirit de corps in the course of carrying out their duties and have mutual respect and understanding for each other.”
National Daily recalls that four persons allegedly died in the clash over power tussle after some naval personnel allegedly failed to obey traffic order as controlled by the police.
However, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas had on June 1 condemned the act saying ” it was an unfortunate incident that should not be allowed to happen again.”
Also, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, visited the scene and called on personnel of both forces to respect one another and sheath he sword.