According to reports, two police officers were shot and killed by military personnel who were stationed at the INEC head office in Jalingo. The incident occurred during the governorship election collation center, and it was said to have arisen from a misunderstanding between a female police officer and a soldier. Two police officers and a soldier were also wounded in the incident, and they are currently receiving treatment in a hospital. Additionally, two other police officers were disarmed and assaulted when the military invaded the police headquarters.
Confirming the incident, the state police public relations officer, Usman Abdullahi, explained that the situation started when a female police officer was stopped by a military personnel at a checkpoint near the INEC headquarters and asked to provide proper identification. Although the initial scuffle was resolved, the female police officer was later dragged out by the same soldier. When reinforcement arrived, the situation escalated, resulting in the soldiers shooting indiscriminately.
According to Abdullahi, one police officer who was going off duty was shot and killed instantly, while another who was reporting for duty was also shot, despite not knowing what was happening. In the aftermath of the incident, reports have emerged that police officers who are escorting election results have been stopped and harassed at military checkpoints.
The commissioner of police, CP Yusuf A. Suleiman, and the commander of 6 Brigade Jalingo have met and agreed to set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the incident and determine its root cause. The collation of the governorship election, which was scheduled to resume at 11:30 am on the day of the incident, has been postponed indefinitely.
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