“Closer working relationships among security agencies are critical for the synergy of efforts in securing the country." Maj. Gen. Mongonu (Rtd)
This is my second commentary on the dastardly act that happened in Adamawa State when the Army invaded the State Police Headquarters and killed an inspector, Jacob Daniel.
For Army officers in 12 trucks to invade Police Headquarters in Yola, Adamawa State is a sad commentary on Nigeria’s democracy that must be addressed urgently.
It is on record that the State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri while condemning the attack, called on residents to remain calm and go about their normal businesses. Also, State Commissioner of Police CP Afolabi Babatola condemned the attack, but unfortunately, the Commander of the 23-Armoured Brigade, Brig-Gen. Gambo Mohammed, who must have ordered the 12 truckloads of Army to invade the Police Headquarters, could only say, “One of our men was shot and hidden by the police, and our men went to rescue their own.”
This is not the first time such incidents will take place, and the quietness from the Army authority over the incidents is distressing.
The Nigeria Army's attack highlights the frequently discussed loss of professionalism, discipline, and order within the armed forces.
I still wondered why the reaction of soldiers to an unjust treatment of one of them was to resort to a flagrant invasion of a police headquarters and gun down a police inspector!
There are laid-down rules in the uniformed services to redress injustice, and it is telling that those rules were callously dispensed with in this situation, as indeed was the case during previous dastardly clashes between the security agencies.
Because there is often no official recompense from the Army authority, reckless behaviour has become the order of the day in the country.
I must commend the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for visiting the Yola command of the Nigeria Police Force, where he offered his sympathies to the family of the late Inspector Jacob Daniel, who was murdered during the invasion of the police headquarters by the Army.
Known for his calmness and wisdom in handling issues, IGP Egbetokun told his men that the recent clash between the police and army was being addressed by the highest security authorities in the country.
Egbetokun condemned the attack and assured the family of the late officer that justice would be served.
While ensuring that those responsible for the shameful display receive the required penalty, I hope that the army's authorities will be sufficiently embarrassed by this disgraceful occurrence to do the necessary reorganisation to get their soldiers back to decent, disciplined behaviour.
I called on the Army authority to handle this incident in accordance with the law books to put an end to the unhealthy rivalry between security services, while also urging IGP Egbetokun to keep pushing police personnel to align themselves with the administration's vision of a professional competent, service-driven, rule of law-compliant, and citizen-friendly police force.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached via 08166240846, kennyadewole@gmail.com
