With military dispatch, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has put bite to the orders of its Commander-in-chief that the circumstances that led to the death of three crack Police detectives and a civilian from the guns of soldiers be probed.
President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the probe after the Police and Army gave conflicting reports on the incident.
The Army and the Police have been at each other’s throats over the manner the men were killed and an alleged notorious kidnapper set free by the soldiers.
A Police statement questioned the integrity of the soldiers, suggesting that its men were shot at point-blank range after they identified themselves. Others were injured and are receiving treatment.
In a statement, DHQ spokesman, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu said: “In compliance with the presidential directive issued by the President, Commander-In- Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Defence Staff Gen Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin has constituted a 7 man Joint Investigation Panel to unravel the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police allegedly resulting in the killing of 3 personnel of the Nigeria Police and a civilian along Ibi – Wukari road in Taraba state.
“The Joint Investigation panel is headed by Rear Admiral IT Olaiya and has a representative each from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce the Nigeria Police, Department of State Service and the Defence Intelligence Agency.
“The Joint Committee has commenced work immediately.”